20 August 2015

NSW Premier Mike Baird, Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay and Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast and Kiama MP Gareth Ward today officially opened the Princes Highway upgrade at Gerringong to traffic.

The $340 million project – fully funded by the NSW Government – will deliver faster travel times, greater convenience and improved safety to motorists.

The project has duplicated the Princes Highway to two lanes in each direction on the 7.5 kilometre section between Mt Pleasant and Toolijooa Road at Gerringong.

It includes two new interchanges with access to Gerringong and Gerroa and the new Omega Bridge, which replaces the railway level crossing at Fern Street, and provides safe and efficient access into Gerringong.

Mr Baird said: “I’m proud of our commitment to the Princes Highway as there’s no more important piece of infrastructure for the people of the Illawarra and South Coast.

“The Gerringong upgrade has delivered 300 jobs to the local community and will mean smoother and safer journeys for local residents and visitors.

“I congratulate Gareth Ward for his tireless advocacy for the Princes Highway - he is a Member of Parliament who fights hard, and delivers on his promises to this community.”

Mr Gay said: “This upgrade means there is one less of those locations that banks up during the holiday period which can make us so angry.

“We’ve committed over $1.5 billion to the Princes Highway since coming to office and work on the next major section - the Foxground to Berry bypass - is well underway.”

Mr Ward said: “Having grown up in Gerringong and lived in this region my entire life, I am reminded all too frequently of accidents and injuries on the Princes Highway.

“I am so proud of how Gerringong residents have embraced these works knowing that they will make our community a better and safer place.”

MEDIA:

• Cameron Hamilton | Premier | 0409 227 048
• Vanessa Juresic | Minister | 0419 618 081
• Gareth Ward | 0401 499 933

View original media release