Princes Highway upgrade

Princes Highway upgrade at Victoria Creek

Major construction is well underway on the $45 million upgrade of the Princes Highway between Narooma Road (the Old Princes Highway) and Corkhill Drive at Central Tilba, 13km south of Narooma. $17 million is allocated in the 2011/12 NSW Government budget.

What's happening now? (April 2012)

Construction of the bridge abutments and placement of the backfill on either side of the bridge.
Earthworks at the southern end of the project have started.
At the northern end of the project, bulk earthworks have been underway since late September. This activity has created a dramatic change in the landscape.
Later this month, work is planned to commence on installation of the rock drainage layers within the rock cuttings at the northern end of the project in anticipation of commencement of pavement layers within the coming months.

This section of the Princes Highway has a reduced roadworks speed limit of 60km/h in place, with further speed zone reductions of 40km/h when required. Minor delays of less than five minutes may also be experienced at times.

Motorists are advised to observe all speed limits and signage. We appreciate your patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Upcoming works

Late April, work will commence on the large excavation just south of the existing Victoria Creek bridge.

This work will require a heavy vehicle cross over the existing highway to cart the material to be used as backfill on the southern side of the new bridge. Increased traffic control will be provided to allow for the safe movement of both site vehicle and the travelling motorists. Delays to motorist of less than five minutes may be experienced.

Motorists are advised to follow all directions of the traffic controller, and all traffic control signage.

Work to date

Work is progressing well and to date has included:

Clearing vegetation to be used as mulch for use on the project.
Installing erosion and sedimentation controls along the length of the project.
Completing work to install a large box culvert drainage structure located at the northern side of the new bridge.
Completion of the private property underpass.
The foundations and columns, along with the two headstocks for the centre span of the new Victoria Creek Bridge are complete.

Construction hours

Construction hours are between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Project overview

The highway upgrade includes:

A new bridge replacing the narrow bridge (built in 1935) over Victoria Creek.
New overtaking lanes in both directions.
Retaining parts of the existing highway as local access road.
New access points linking the old highway to the new highway for properties affected.

Photo Gallery

Review of environmental factors

Roads and Maritime Services finalised an environmental impact assessment, called a review of environmental factors (REF) to examine the potential impacts and propose safeguards and actions for the project.

Appendices referred to in the REF have not been uploaded for size reasons. You can access this information by contacting the project manager. We would be happy to send you a CD or hard copy of the REF.