Wollongong City Council is calling for tenders to construct a major bridge in West Dapto as part of the $30 million West Dapto Initial Access Strategy.
The 48 metre bridge will be part of a new access route from Cleveland Road to Sierra Drive, Horsley, and will provide a crucial link from Dapto High School and the CBD to Horsley and the new West Dapto land release.
Director of Infrastructure and Works, Peter Kofod, said the bridge is the first of three bridges to be constructed on new link road from Fairwater Drive.
“Tenders are now being called on the bridge and we expect contractors to begin work early next year. The bridge will be two lanes and include a shared pathway for pedestrians and cyclists,” Mr Kofod said.
“Work on the Initial Access Strategy began in August, and crews are currently constructing the extension of Fowlers Road from Princes Highway through to Marshall Street, and the extension of Fairwater Drive west from Highcroft Boulevard through to Bong Bong Rd Horsley.”
“The strategy is designed to provide three new and improved access routes into Horsley and West Dapto,” Mr Kofod said.
“This multi-million project will be complete over the next two years and will assist the 7000 residents already living in Horsley and an extra 6700 new homes and 175 hectares of employment lands expected in the coming years.”
This major project would not be possible without a $26 million interest free loan from the NSW Government's Local Infrastructure Fund.
Member for Shellharbour, Lylea McMahon, said it was good to see work underway on these important road networks.
"This major project will help to ensure the delivery of important local infrastructure and services essential to urban development as part of the West Dapto Local Environmental Plan, and I am very excited that tenders are being called for its commencement," Ms McMahon said.
"I welcome Wollongong City Council’s plans for major road upgrade works, to improve access for residents in the West Dapto area.
"I would further like to welcome the NSW Government's support for our community by contributing $26.05 million, in the form of an interest free loan towards the delivery of local infrastructure to provide much needed road access relief. The largest interest free loan allocated to any council in NSW. “
"The community has lobbied both myself and Council relentlessly, for improved access to and from West Dapto, and I see this as the first of many positive steps to ensuring the delivery of this," she said.