Progress to October 2009
The Oak Flats to Dunmore upgrade of the Princes Highway will be a four-lane divided carriageway, with a grade separated interchange linked to Shellharbour Road.
Shellharbour Road will also be upgraded to four lanes, matching the remainder of its link to Wollongong.
The new highway will link the Oak Flats Interchange to the North Kiama Bypass providing a high standard four lane highway from Sydney to south of Kiama.
Construction works commenced in June 2007 and completion is currently scheduled for late 2009.
Fulton Hogan has been contracted to construct this new section of the Princes Highway.
This project is fully funded by the NSW Government.
Community celebration walk
The local community in Southern Region celebrated the near the completion of the upgrade of the Princes Highway between Oak Flats and Dunmore at a community event held on Sunday 11 October 2009.
More than 300 community members attended the day, which was officially launched by Minister for Transport and for the Illawarra David Campbell MP.
The local community was invited to walk on a newly surfaced section of the Princes Highway upgrade and view the new Flinders Interchange before it opens to traffic. Families enjoyed face painting, acts by a circus performer and a jumping castle. Donations from a sausage sizzle went to the Rural Fire Service who also had fire trucks and Smokey the Bear on hand to entertain children.
This event was an opportunity to thank the local community for their patience during the works and to recognise the efforts of all who have been involved in the upgrade.
Significant progress has been made with key components of the work including:
- Completion of the Flinders Interchange rail bridge.
- Completion of the Flinders Interchange highway bridges.
- Completion of the southbound bridge over Tabbitta Road.
- Sealing Lindsay's Lane with bitumen and opening access to the construction site offices.
- Completion of Shellharbour Road between Cove Boulevard and Dunmore Road.
- Completion of Dunmore Road.
- Completion of the dual carriageway between Oak Flats Interchange and Dunsters Lane.
- Paving works, laying asphalt, construction of noise barriers, revegetation and signposting.
The upgrade will be opened to traffic when the current asphalt and linemarking works are completed.
Future traffic changes
The next major traffic change is the opening to traffic of the through carriageways and the Flinders Interchange.
The southbound carriageway will be opened first, followed by the northbound carriageway. This will require some work under traffic such as paving and linemarking and the removal of the median barrier and other traffic control devices from Swamp Road north.
The Dunmore level crossing will be closed to vehicles at the same time, with access to Shellharbour Road from the Flinders Interchange.
The southbound carriageway will be limited to one lane south of the Tabbitta Road Bridge to allow construction to be completed where the onload ramp from Shellharbour Road joined the Princes Highway.
Motorists will be advised of these changes by the use of variable message signs and traffic alerts issued to local media.
Motorists are reminded that reduced speed limits will remain in place along various sections of the works and are encouraged to drive carefully.
Normal construction hours are Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
Some work may be required outside these hours however nearby residents will be given advanced notification if this is necessary, along with signposting for motorists.
Recent history
To view information on recent project history click here.
Features and benefits
To view details on the key features and benefits of the highway upgrade between Oak Flats and Dunmore click here.
Photo gallery
To view a gallery of construction photos click here.
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