Princes Highway upgrade

Bega bypass

The Australian Government is funding construction of the $60 million bypass of Bega on the Princes Highway. The bypass will be approximately 3.5 kilometres long and use an existing road corridor to the west of Bega.

What's happening now?

The successful contractor, Macmahon Contractors Pty Ltd, has been awarded the tender to build the bypass. Roads and Maritime Services is working with the contractor in preparation for major construction work to commence.

It's expected major construction will commence in May 2012 and take about two years to complete.

Community consultation

Roads and Maritime Services prepared a review of environmental factors and displayed the assessment for comment at numerous locations in Bega during September and October 2010. Roads and Maritime Services also held two community drop-in information sessions to discuss all aspects of the proposal with the community on 14 and 16 October 2010.

All community submissions from the display were carefully considered. A report summarising the issues from the 25 submissions received in response to the display of the Bega Bypass Princes Highway Review of Environmental Factors was prepared. In December 2010, Roads and Maritime Services finalised the determination of the review of environmental factors.

The submissions from the community have been used to help refine the detailed design.

In April / May 2011, Roads and Maritime Services invited community feedback on proposed design refinements at the southern end of the Bega Bypass. As a result of the design refinements an addendum review of environmental factors (REF) was finalised.

The addendum REF examined the changes in terms of improved road safety, traffic efficiency, environmental outcomes and addressed community issues raised during the community consultation period.

The design refinements and addendum REF is available for viewing. Read more>>

If you would like to be kept updated via email about the Bega bypass project please email the project team at Bega_Bypass@rta.nsw.gov.au.

Benefits

The Bega bypass will:

  • Remove heavy vehicles and through traffic from the Bega town centre improving road safety, amenity and traffic conditions.
  • Improve noise and air quality in Bega.
  • Improve road safety and reduce travel times and vehicle operating costs.
  • Support the region's economy by allowing the Princes Highway between the Snowy Mountains Highway and the Victorian Border to be used by B-double heavy vehicles in both directions.

Key features of the project

  • A new two-lane highway approximately 3.5 kilometres long.
  • A bypass of Bega between the south side of the existing Bega River Bridge and Finucane Lane.
  • Two new bridges across the bypass, one at High Street and one at Ravenswood Street.
  • Two new major access points linking the town and the bypass, a new roundabout on the town side of the Bega River Bridge and a new T-junction near Boundary Street.
  • Inclusion of an underpass at Applegum Close.