11 February 2014

Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay and Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock today announced the NSW Government would invest $50 million to replace the bridge on the Princes Highway across Burrill Lake.

“The NSW Government will replace the bridge that is used by more than 8,000 vehicles each day,” Minister Gay said.

“Considering costs and benefits of various maintenance options against replacing the old bridge, the NSW Government has committed to build a new bridge with major work expected to start in early 2016 and be completed in early 2018, weather permitting.

“Assessments found while the existing bridge is structurally sound and safe to carry traffic, it would require significant maintenance in the next five years to ensure its longevity.

“Options to maintain the existing bridge were not found to improve flood immunity. Delays and road closures can occur during heavy rain due to the height of the existing structure.”

Mrs Hancock said she was proud the NSW Government was listening to communities of the South Coast.

“The community provided plenty of feedback on the preferred option being determined last year for the replacement bridge,” Mrs Hancock said.

“Feedback meant there were improvements to the project design including increasing the number of parking spaces near the shops at Balmoral Road and installing navigation markers on the new bridge to improve boating safety.

“The project team will now work on a detailed design for the new bridge, which also incorporate community feedback received.”

Burrill Lake is about four kilometres south of Ulladulla and a causeway and low level bridge originally built in 1958 carries traffic across the lake.

The existing bridge and causeway will be removed and fishing platforms and picnic areas will be created on the foreshore.

MEDIA: Siobhan McCarthy 0407 791 802 (Minister Gay)

Luke Sikora 0408 681 294 (Mrs Hancock)

View the original media release (PDF)