Shellharbour City Council Mayor, Chris Homer, has welcomed a $4.2 million funding commitment by the NSW Government towards the Tripoli Way extension project.
Mayor Homer thanked NSW Government Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, for the contribution to what he said was a much-needed addition to the city’s transport network.
“This funding is fantastic news. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the NSW State Government for its support in recognising the importance of this project,” he said.
“The Tripoli Way extension will bypass the Albion Park town centre, improving traffic flow along Tongarra Road and surrounding streets, as well as improving safety for all road users.
“The NSW Government’s contribution brings this long-awaited jointly funded project a step closer to becoming a reality.”
Council identified the extension of Tripoli Way in 1961 as a long-term strategic plan to manage the Shellharbour local government area’s growing community.
The project will extend, widen and upgrade the existing Tripoli Way and The Expressway in Albion Park. Overall costs are estimated at more than $40 million.
The $4.2 million in funding announced by the NSW Government builds on the previously allocated $16.6 million through Round 3 of the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund.
Tripoli Way runs between Hamilton Road and Calderwood Road and The Expressway runs between Moles Street and Calderwood Road.
The project will create a continuous route for vehicles between the Broughton Street/Illawarra Highway intersection in the west to Terry Street/the Illawarra Highway in the east which avoids the Albion Park town centre.
The Tripoli Way extension is a separate project to the Albion Park Rail bypass (APRb) but was developed with consideration of the broader traffic network, including the implications of the APRb on local and regional traffic.
The project will improve connectivity with the APRb bypass northbound entry and southbound exit ramps.
The next phase, Early Works, will commence in 2024 and will include earthworks and service relocation. The Main Construction phase is expected to commence in early 2025.
