The Princes Highway between Oak Flats and Dunmore was constructed in the late 1920’s and is no longer suitable for the traffic flows that it is required to carry.
Early studies
Following discussion with the local farmers and land owners in the 1980’s the then Department of Main Roads (DMR) identified a new road corridor, generally following the railway line. Internal approvals were obtained and this new corridor was reserved in Shellharbour City Council’s Local Environment Plan in 1986.
The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) prepared and exhibited an environmental impact statement (EIS) in late 1993 and early 1994. Following consideration of the issues raised in response to the EIS, further flora and noise studies were carried out.
Approvals to the North Kiama Bypass and the Oak Flats to Dunmore Realignment
In 1997 the RTA approved the Oak Flats to Dunmore project. In 1997 approval was also given by the Minister for Planning for the North Kiama Bypass. It was not possible to fund both projects simultaneously and it was decided to construct the North Kiama Bypass first, whilst concept planning and land acquisition for the upgrade of the Princes Highway from Oak Flats to Dunmore was underway. The North Kiama Bypass was given the higher priority because of the severe congestion and poor crash history of the Princes Highway through the urban suburbs of Gainsborough, Kiama Downs and Minnamurra.
Detail Planning
Whilst the construction of the North Kiama Bypass was underway detailing planning for the Oak Flats to Dunmore project was carried out. A review of the original scheme identified an improved configuration for the Shellharbour Road interchange. This minor change, together with a number of changes to legislation since the 1997 approval, required the RTA to undertake an environmental review. The environmental review and revised design was approved in July 2006.
Construction
The North Kiama Bypass was opened to traffic in November 2005, and the RTA called tenders for construction of the Oak Flats to Dunmore project in 2006.
On 28 February 2007 a contract was awarded to FRH Group Pty Ltd to construct the major upgrade of the Princes Highway between Oak Flats and Dunmore and work commenced on site in June 2007.
In early 2008 the FRH Group became Fulton Hogan, also known as FH.
This project is fully funded by the NSW Government.
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