Most in the NSW South Coast state seat of Kiama will not be surprised to know that the Minns Labor State Government has played a key electoral card this week by announcing it will spend $9.6 million on major upgrades to the treacherous Macquarie Pass, which is a significant truck route between the South Coast to the Southern Highlands and the Ume Motorway.
The upgrade will include the delivery of wider lanes and new safety barriers, which the government says will improve key sections at the top and near the bottom of the crowded Illawarra mountain pass,
The Minns Government says that once completed the upgrades will improve travel conditions for around 4,000 drivers who use this road each day.
As well as that the Government says it will increase community resilience and reduce the risk of closures on the steep route following the unprecedented wet weather as experienced recently on the Pass.
The Minns Labor Government says it is part of its plan to ensure the people of the South Coast and in particular Kiama, (there is that electorate again) have the essential services they need and rely on, including road infrastructure to boost safety and efficiency for local communities..
NSW Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said this funding is about making regional roads safer, more reliable and fairer, ensuring local communities get their fair share of road maintenance investment.
“Macquarie Pass is a critical corridor for local commuters, freight operators and the tourism sector,” Minister Aitchison said
“These safety upgrades will provide a safer road environment and are key to ensuring the resilience of this route,” she said.
“Work carried out on the Pass is complex due to the steep terrain of the site, slope stability challenges and the tight work areas that limit worker and vehicle access.
“The design and schedule have been developed to achieve maximum results while minimising
impacts to the community wherever possible.
“We appreciate the community’s patience while this work is carried out.”
The Government says the first phase of work will be on the 200 metre stretch between the top two hairpin bends, which is a narrow and winding section of road frequently affected by severe weather and slope instability.
A total of $7.5 million in upgrades will be used to create three-metre-wide travel lanes in both directions, as well as new kerbs and safety barriers, making it safer and easier for motorists to navigate the top bends.
Long steel rods, known as soil nails, will be drilled into the embankment to stabilise the slope, while a heavy-duty mesh and concrete spray (shotcrete) will then be applied to prevent further deterioration and reduce the risk of unplanned closures., the government said
The government saiid that an additional $2.1 million will be spent under its ‘Towards Zero Safer Roads program’, which it says will will allow safety improvements to be carried out about 900 metres up from the Cascade Falls Picnic Area.
Work will include installing a widened centre line along a 300-metre section, minor slope stabilisation, and drainage upgrades to improve safety for road users.
The government said this builds on its investment of $3 million in accelerated funding to fill potholes and undertake road repairs, which has brought road maintenance investment in Kiama to more than $35 million this year it claims.
Night works on the road will be occurring from 8pm to 4am, from Sunday to Thursday, and the project is expected to take up to six months to complete, weather permitting.
For the safety of workers and motorists, Macquarie Pass will be closed between Tongarra Mine Road and Mount Murray Road during work hours and detours will be in place that add 10 minutes for light vehicles.
