As part of the NSW Government’s $46 million program to install rumble strips on the state’s key regional routes, the M1 is next in line.
Rumble strips – or audio tactile line markings – will be installed on the M1 motorway from Gwynneville to Kiama.
Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park commented, “The NSW Government has committed $46 million to install more than 2700 kilometres of rumble strips and enhance line markings on key regional routes like the M1.
“Starting from Gipps Road at Gwynneville, these new measures will make the M1 Princes Motorway safer for drivers.”
The M1 Princes Motorway was identified as a target spot for the rumble strip rollout due to its crash history.
In the five years to 2021, there were 229 crashes on this 43-kilometre stretch of road. Of these, 15 were fatigue related.
Rumble strips are designed to reduce run-off road crashes by up to 25 per cent by providing a noise and vibration warning to road users who have strayed from the road due to fatigue or poor visibility from rain or fog.
The rumble strips will be installed offset to the existing line marking on the edge lines and will produce noise and vibration if a vehicle leaves the travel lane, giving the driver an opportunity to fix their steering.
Work will be carried out in stages from Monday August 26, 2024, for two months, Sunday to Thursday nights between 8pm and 4am weather permitting.
Single lane closures and reduced speed limits of 40 km/h will be in place during work hours.
Motorists are advised to allow five minutes additional travel time, drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.