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Priority Projects
North Kiama By-pass

The $141
million, 7.6km North Kiama Bypass on the Princes Highway near Dunmore will
improve safety and travel conditions by eliminating a winding section of
the Princes Highway at Minnamurra as well as removing through traffic in
residential streets in Bombo, Kiama Downs and Minnamurra.
The North Kiama Bypass is to be built in two stages. A
942m-long concrete bridge across the Terragong Swamp was completed in
February 2003 as stage one of the project. The bridge was constructed
first so it could be used as a haul road for further project works.
A contract for construction of the final stage was awarded
in August 2003, with work starting in November 2003.
The bypass is being funded by the NSW Government, with the
Commonwealth Government contributing $34 million to the project.
The North Kiama Bypass will be four lanes (two in each
direction) which will bypass an existing section of the Princes Highway
between 28.5km and 35km south of Wollongong and will extend from near
Swamp Road to Bombo Beach at North Kiama.

Bridge Upgradings
Clyde River Bridge
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The
Clyde River Bridge is a multi
span steel truss
bridge
comprising one lane in each direction. It contains a lift
span to allow the passage of boats underneath.
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The bridge requires deck strengthening. This work
has been programmed by RTA for 2003 at a cost of $250,000. There
is no alternative route.
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Wagonga Inlet Bridge
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The
Wagonga Inlet Bridge at Narooma is a multi span steel truss
bridge comprising one lane in each direction.

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There is no alternative detour for
heavy vehicles.
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While the bridge is strong enough
for B-Doubles, the northern approach comprises a tight sub
standard radius bend which results in heavy vehicles crossing the
centre line of the road to drive on to the narrow bridge.
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Major improvements to the alignment
of the northern approach will remove the impediment to the use of
B-doubles reducing the potential for serious damage to the bridge
structure.
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The project will eliminate an
accident blackspot.
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These works
are programmed by the RTA for 2002-2004 at a cost of $4m.
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Brogo River Bridge
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The
Brogo River Bridge north of Bega
is a steel girder bridge built in 1937 comprising one lane in each
direction.
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The southern
approach to the bridge comprises a tight sub standard radius bend
(35kph) which results in heavy vehicles crossing the centre line
of the road to drive on to the narrow bridge.
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Pambula Bridge
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The bridge/road
at the Pambula River floods on a 1-2 year frequency and is
impassable
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The current low
level timber bridge is scheduled for replacement at its existing
level.
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The timber
structure is a serious constraint to heavy vehicles. The road
cannot be opened to heavy vehicles for several days after heavy
rain because the bridge needs to be inspected and often repaired
after each flood.
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The Government
has undertaken to provide 50% of $9m project cost, subject to
matching Federal funding.
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All spheres of
government have invested significantly in the economic development
of the area. Public investment in enhancing dairy processing and
the extension of the Eden wharf facility to accommodate commercial
activity are undermined if Highway infrastructure remains
unreliable.
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As a result of
investment by Bega Cheese and arrangements with Bonlac, there has
been a 400% increase in raw milk from Gippsland to Bega. It is
hoped that this will continue to increase over the next five
years. The efficiency of “just in time” processing depends on a
reliable Highway.
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According to
VicRoads, the largest single road movement of agricultural and
rural products between Victoria to NSW is from East Gippsland.
Pambula Bridge is an important but weak link in the network
serving East Gippsland.
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The current
usage is 5,500 vehicles per day.
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Flooding of the
Pambula Bridge causes severe social and community disruption,
because many community facilities (hospital, schools, shops) are
on one side of the bridge, while many houses are on the other.
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Supplies of fuel
and other essential commodities stop.
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Heavy or
threatened rain seriously disrupts the substantial tourist
industry. Access to Merimbula, a major holiday destination for
many Victorians, is across the Pambula flood plain.
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Shoalhaven River Crossing
Traffic diversion
over Shoalhaven River Bridge |
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Berry Bypass
A by-pass of Berry
will improve traffic
efficiency and reduce the number of vehicle and pedestrian conflicts.
The bypass has been estimated to cost $30m and is programmed for
2006-8. |

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Princes Highway
passing through Berry
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South Nowra Industrial
Duplication
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