$20 Million For Horror Highway

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday June 8, 2004

By DAVID CRAWSHAW

THE Federal Government has upped the ante in the political bunfight over the Princes Hwy, announcing $20 million to upgrade the worst black spots south of Nowra.

The highway will be converted to four lanes between South Nowra and the Jervis Bay turn-off, including intersection improvements and possibly a new bridge over Currambene Creek.

The 7km section of road carries an estimated 18,000 vehicles a day, and two people have died in 56 accidents on it in the past five years.

Residents and businesses in the Shoalhaven reacted positively to the news yesterday, although they said an upgrade was long overdue.

But the South Coast's main transport route was overlooked for additional funding when it was left off the Federal Government's $11.8 billion AusLink program, also announced yesterday.

Gilmore MP Joanna Gash challenged the NSW Government to match the $20 million in black spot funding provided by the Commonwealth, which will be spread over two years and includes $5 million for the Pambula Bridge upgrade, for which the State Government has also committed the same amount.

Some aspects of the work would be dependent on State Government funding, but the initial four-lane section between South Nowra and Jervis Bay Rd would be built regardless.

Ms Gash said she hoped the decision, which comes in the lead-up to a federal election, would break the political impasse over the Princes Hwy.

``I have not changed my view on the overall responsibility for this road lying with the NSW Government. They must take the initiative from here."

She said construction could start as soon as the Roads and Traffic Authority mapped out a precise works program.

But the most dangerous section of the road, between Berry and Foxground, will not get any of the funding announced yesterday.

Ms Gash said that section of road eventually would be replaced with an entirely new highway on a different alignment, and it did not make sense to spend money on it now.

She was unsure why the Princes Hwy was left off the AusLink package, under which the Federal Government will continue to fund major freight routes connecting capital cities.

The Hume and Pacific highways will each receive more than $700 million under the program, but the Princes Hwy has been classed as a tourist road, rather than a freight road, and has missed out on a funding bonanza.

``The Princes Hwy was never going to be mentioned in AusLink," Ms Gash said.

``While it's a very busy tourist road, it was not classed as a major highway. Don't ask me why."

Shoalhaven Mayor Greg Watson welcomed the improvements but warned much more was needed.

``I certainly welcome any injection of funds into the highway, but having said that, there are still major safety issues which have to be addressed," he said.

Twenty-five people have died on the highway since October last year, and 16 have lost their lives this year.

RTA figures show traffic on the highway south of Nowra has increased by 36 per cent in the past decade.

The Mercury has been running a campaign and petition calling on the NSW Government to upgrade the Princes Hwy, statistically the state's deadliest road.

THE PROPOSED UPGRADE OF THE PRINCES HIGHWAY INCLUDES:

* Dual carriageway between South Nowra and Jervis Bay turn-off;

* Improvements to the Warra Warra Rd, BTU Rd, Forest Rd, Comberton Grange Rd, Parma Rd, Falls Rd and Jervis Bay Rd intersections where they meet the Princes Hwy;

* A new bridge over Currambene Creek - likely to be dependent on State Government funding;

* Safety wire to be installed to separate northbound and southbound traffic on new four-lane section between South Nowra and Jervis Bay turn-off - also likely to be dependent on State Government funding;

* Turning lane to be installed at Sussex Inlet Rd intersection; and

* Upgrade of Pambula Bridge (jointly funded by the Federal and NSW governments).