Two projects aimed at improving safety, efficiency and journey reliability on the Princes Highway at Coila and Mogo are about to get under way.

The Minns Labor Government is investing more than $5 million in upgrades at the intersection of the highway with Hector McWilliam Drive at Coila and the stretch of highway between Deep Creek Dam Road and Burkes Lane at Mogo.

The intersection at Hector McWilliam Drive is an important link for residents and tourists as it provides the primary access to Tuross Heads.

The upgraded intersection will include a left turn slip lane and roadside safety barriers adjacent to the commuter carpark, on the southern corner of the intersection.

These improvements will make it easier, more efficient and safer for motorists turning left to enter the highway, allowing them to accelerate and safely merge at speed with southbound traffic.

Work on the 3.5-kilometre stretch of the Princes Highway at Mogo will include shoulder widening and the installation of around 2.2 kilometres of flexible steel rail roadside safety barriers to help prevent crashes and redirect vehicles back into their lane. Roadside barriers are designed to absorb impact forces and are proven to reduce the severity of crashes on rural roads by up to 85 per cent.

New one-metre-wide centrelines will provide more space between oncoming traffic, giving drivers more time to react if they unintentionally drift toward oncoming traffic. Widening the centreline is estimated to reduce head-on crashes by up to 50 per cent. Rumble strips will also be installed along the centre and edge lines across the project length.

The NSW Government has provided $2.25 million for the intersection upgrade from the Regional Roads Fund and $2.8 million for the upgrades near Mogo being delivered as part of the $60 million Princes Highway corridor safety and efficiency upgrades program.

Work at Mogo will begin Tuesday 3 February and at Coila on Monday 9 February, with both projects expected to take around 12 weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Work will be carried out on weekdays from 7am to 6pm and 7am to 1pm on Saturdays, as required.

No work will be carried out on Sundays or public holidays.

More information can be found on the project webpages at: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/hectormcwilliamdriveintersection, and https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/corridor-safety-and-efficiency-upgrades-program

Member for Bega, Dr. Michael Holland said:

“I welcome this $5 million investment to improve sections of the Princes Highway for our road users across Eurobodalla, including families, workers and tourists.

“We’ve listened to what the community wants at the Hector McWilliam Drive intersection, and that’s a better and safer intersection which this work aims to achieve.

“Safety measures including widened shoulders, roadside flexible steel rail safety barriers, wide centreline and rumble strips are important improvements to the Princes Highway and could help save lives.

“We thank the community for their patience while this work to ensure the ongoing resilience of our roads is carried out.”

Images for download available here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/vuz7j3nhtgy66507mx9ok/AKf0oswy8_Ecf44MPUxwUt8?rlkey=jp1r7g67qnrna3yfs2p1x208m&st=7o3wg40q&dl=0

MEDIA:

Lisa Miller | Dr Michael Holland MP Member for Bega | 02 6492 2056