The Kings Highway is the main east-west road between the Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast and the ACT. The Highway is 137 kilometres long and links towns and cities such as Canberra, Queanbeyan, Bungendore, Braidwood, Nelligen and Batemans Bay.

The Kings Highway is the only direct east-west route connecting the ACT with the NSW South Coast. Alternative routes via Nowra to the north (using the Hume and Princes highways) or, Cooma to the south (using the Monaro and Princes highways) are much longer alternatives adding an additional 300 kilometres.

The Kings Highway is the only transport infrastructure serving the Queanbeyan to Batemans Bay corridor.

Project news

Nelligen Bridge

Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is investigating further options for the future of Nelligen Bridge over the Clyde River at Nelligen.

In 2011, RMS identified deterioration of the reinforced concrete piles under the bridge during routine inspections. Structural engineers have assessed the strength of the bridge and found it is still able to safely carry normal highway loads, but will deteriorate over time. The bridge will require significant future maintenance. Options for repair or replacement are being investigated. RMS is currently undertaking a cost benefit analysis of the major rehabilitation and new bridge options. For more information visit the Nelligen Bridge webpage.

Kings Highway route safety review

The NSW Centre for Road Safety and RMS have undertaken a road safety review of the Kings Highway between the Princes Highway roundabout at Batemans Bay and the eastern most part of the ACT border just south of Bungendore. For more information visit the Kings Highway safety review webpage.

Roadside hazards on the Kings Highway at Braidwood

RMS is reviewing two sections of the highway on either side of Braidwood. They are:

• 3.8kms of road east of Monkittee Street, east of Braidwood.
• 1.8kms of road between Nerriga Road and Deloraine Lane, north of Braidwood.

A range of road safety hazards have been identified on these lengths of road. Roadside hazards in these areas include Trees, culverts (drains) and Mona Creek where it is close to the road. For more information visit the Braidwood hazards webpage.

Upgrade of the Kings Highway between Queanbeyan and the ACT border

RMS completed a series of improvements on the Kings Highway between Queanbeyan and the ACT border (in association with the Australian Department of Defence). This included intersection upgrades at Weetalabah Drive, The Ridgeway and Captains Flat Road completed in 2009, as well as the realignment of a section of the Kings Highway between Thurralilly Street and Regent Drive. The realignment was opened to traffic on 7 October 2010 and fully completed in February 2011.

The cost of the series of improvements on the Kings Highway was approximately $26.3 million, with $16.3 million committed by the Australian Government and the remaining funding committed by the NSW Government. For more information visit the Kings Highway - Queanbeyan webpage.

Bungendore and Braidwood traffic study

In conjunction with Palerang Council, a local traffic study report has been prepared with the key objective of developing road upgrade concepts to improve amenity for the local communities in Braidwood and Bungendore. For more information visit the Bungendore and Braidwood traffic study webpage.

Slope stabilisation work at Clyde Mountain

To reduce the risk of landslides occurring on the Kings Highway at Clyde Mountain, RMS is planning slope stabilisation work between Pooh's Corner and the top of Clyde Mountain. This includes the area where a landslide occurred in April 2012, closing the road for six days.

Work will be carried out in two stages over the next 12 months and will require full closures of the Kings Highway.

Stage one of the stabilisation work is proposed for the last week of May until the last week of June 2013.

For more information visit the slope stabilisation work at Clyde Mountain webpage.