Following community feedback and various investigations into three shortlisted Moruya bypass corridors, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has announced its preferred option.
TfNSW consulted the community and stakeholders about the preferred strategic bypass corridor for Moruya from May 14, 2021 to June 14, 2021. Further consultation on the three shortlisted bypass corridor options – Purple, Orange and Yellow – was then undertaken from April 4, 2022 to June 13, 2022.
According to a TfNSW spokesperson, the ‘Orange’ corridor would allow for a two-lane, nine-kilometre bypass of Moruya to the east of the existing Princes Highway from north of Malabar Drive to south of Mountain View Road.
“During the option assessment process, Transport for NSW considered community and stakeholder feedback and made refinements to the Orange corridor,” the spokesperson said.
“These refinements resulted in the corridor moving slightly to help reduce impacts to coastal wetlands, properties and local amenity, which the community had flagged as a priority during feedback.
“While the Purple option was initially popular with many in the community, it was found it would result in potential impacts to Aboriginal heritage sites and higher noise and visual impacts to community facilities including TAFE NSW Moruya and the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital.
“Additionally, the Purple option would have a major impact on highly valued community activities in Moruya with an elevated bridge structure required above Riverside Park.
“Refining the Orange option has enabled us to better meet the long-term project objectives of delivering a safer, more efficient and resilient highway for locals and visitors.”
The spokesperson said the NSW Government provided funding for the initial planning phase of a bypass of Moruya which has been completed.
“Funding for the finalisation of the concept design, environmental assessment process and construction will now need to be sought for this project. The completion of the early planning phase and selection of the preferred corridor allows the project to progress to development and construction stages when future funding is available.”
Construction of the bypass is estimated to cost over $1.7 billion.
To deliver immediate short term road safety improvements in the Eurobodalla region, TfNSW says it is carrying out detailed investigations and planning for other local projects as well as the improvements on the Princes Highway. This includes the intersection upgrade of the Princes Highway and Bingie Road, as well as the intersection upgrade at Hector McWilliam Drive, Tuross Head.