Work on the long-awaited Mount Ousley Interchange in Illawara, New South Wales, is set to start in 2023 with a combined investment of $300 million from the New South Wales and the federal governments.
The NSW Government is contributing $60 million to the project, with the Australian Government providing $240 million, to allow Transport for NSW to build the interchange on the M1 Princes Motorway at the base of Mount Ousley.
The interchange will replace the existing intersection of the Princes Motorway and Mount Ousley Road, which currently experiences long queues and delays during peak periods and has a poor crash history.
New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the construction of the M1 Princes Motorway will drastically improve road safety, travel times, and cater for future growth in traffic volumes along Mount Ousley.
“This will improve safety for both light and heavy vehicles, allow for future traffic growth, and improve access to the Princes Highway and the Wollongong CBD,” Constance said.
“This project will also support 457 direct and indirect jobs, providing a substantial economic and skills boost to the Illawarra and surrounds.”
The proposed changes for the interchange include building a new northbound exit from the motorway, building additional heavy vehicle safety ramps, and extending pedestrian and cyclist connections.
It will also involve relocating the southbound entry to the motorway and a new service road between Mount Ousley Road and University Avenue. The closure of the southbound University Avenue exit from the motorway will mean motorists would use the Mount Ousley Road exit and the service road.
New South Wales Minister for Local Government and Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said the NSW Government committed $21 million to continue planning and development for the Mount Ousley Interchange in December last year.
“The initial tranche of funding covered detailed design, utility service investigations and further environmental assessment, and now the remaining $39 million will be allocated to make the vision a reality,” Ms Hancock said.
“The concept design is now complete and Transport for NSW has since carried out detailed geotechnical investigations to help inform the detailed design.”
Member for Heathcote Lee Evans said a project of this size and complexity would require the patience and understanding of all road users.
“This work will inevitably have impacts on commuters and the local community, but these will be minimised wherever possible,” Mr Evans said.
“The community will be kept informed of its progress, with construction timing yet to be confirmed.”
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