Eurobodalla Shire Council has called on the federal government to back a major upgrade of the Princes Highway to the Victorian border.
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A federal-state government 80/20 funding deal would make the highway safer, and have enormous economic benefits for the Eurobodalla Shire, the council’s infrastructure director, Warren Sharpe, said.
Mr Sharpe said the shire backed Bega MP Andrew Constance’s push for the federal government to get behind a four-lane, dual carriageway to the border.
“Getting the federal government on board will allow things to happen faster, and it’s going to save lives,” Mr Sharpe said.
“Now Constance has come in supporting the federal government to pursue an 80/20 deal, similar to the Pacific Highway, we’re very supportive of that.
“The NSW Government has ... seen a need for economic growth outside of Sydney, and both the North Coast and the South Coast are opportunities.
“It’s time, with work on the Pacific Highway coming to an end, for the federal government to refocus their attention to the Princes Highway, because it has such economic importance.
The loss of life and trauma was too high – so those projects had to be done.
- Warren Sharpe
“They really need to get on board, and it’s a good time for them to do that in the cycle, so we’re very pleased to see Andrew Constance and Melinda Pavey pushing for that.”
Mr Sharpe said other projects were funded due to their high crash rates – and the Princes Highway should be no different.
Mr Sharpe acknowledged the Princes Highway north of Nowra had needed recent upgrades due to heavy traffic and accidents, but it was time to “make a real difference south of Nowra”.
“It’s been really pleasing, even though the traffic volumes are lower south of us, to see Andrew Constance get the funding for Tilba and Dignam’s Creek.
“The loss of life and trauma was too high – so those projects had to be done.
“Focusing on key nodes within townships for road safety is just super important, and the 80/20 deal would allow some of the bigger works to occur.”
Mr Sharpe said the highway had to be improved for the new Batemans Bay bridge to work properly.
The planned four-lane bridge would reduce everyday and peak-season congestion.
“That’s going to be fantastic compared to what we’ve got now, so hats off to the RMS,” he said.
A really significant safety improvement could be made really simply
- Warren Sharpe
Mr Sharpe said the RMS did not have to wait for 80/20 funding to get started on building four lanes.
“They have the opportunity to get small amounts of money to start to work towards the four-lane road,” he said.
“The bridge finishes at the Kings Highway roundabout. If you go just half a kilometre north, the overtaking lane southbound finishes.
“There’s a very small gap that could be made continuous. You come off that overtaking lane, you merge on a bend, and have to diverge again when you get to the roundabout.
“It’s a really significant safety improvement that could be made really simply if they incorporated it into the current works.”
Mr Sharpe said the worst sections of highway, such as the “Mad Mile” south of Batemans Bay, must be prioritised.
“The work would have to be phased, but to roll it out geographically from the north to the south would be a mistake,” he said.
“High-traffic sections like Mogo to Batemans Bay have a matching high crash rate.
“Our local studies, prepared with the RMS show there needs to be more extensive areas with four lanes.”
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