Berry to Bomaderry - Princes Highway upgrade

Reviewed

Project overview

Transport for NSW has upgraded the Princes Highway between Berry and Bomaderry. The project has improved safety, increased road capacity, improved traffic flow and delivered better and more reliable journeys on this section of the highway.

Project information

Background

The $450 million Berry to Bomaderry upgrade project  has improved safety, increased road capacity, improved traffic flow and delivered better and more reliable journeys on this section of the highway.

The project delivered a four-lane divided highway between Mullers Lane at Berry and Cambewarra Road at Bomaderry. The upgrade is the final piece of more than 30 kilometres of highway upgraded between Gerringong and Bomaderry since work started in 2012.

Major work started in September 2018 with Downer Seymour Whyte Joint Venture (DSWJV) engaged as the construction contractor to build the upgrade.

Major work on the project was completed in late 2022 and the highway is now open to four lanes of traffic.

Features

The Berry to Bomaderry upgrade includes the following key features:

  • A 100km/h speed limit north of Abernethys Lane
  • An overpass of the highway between Pestells Lane and Meroo Road
  • An underpass at Devitts Lane and Morschels Lane for local road access
  • An overpass of the highway between Strongs Road and Jaspers Brush Road
  • Protected right turn bays to northbound and southbound u-turn bays
  • A heavy vehicle inspection bay near Jaspers Brush
  • A total of eight bridges over waterways
  • Fauna friendly features in the bridge designs at Flying Fox Creek, Jaspers Brush Creek and Wileys Creek
  • Increased road shoulder widths to three metres, where possible, with vehicle breakdown bays at regular intervals
  • Modifications to local roads, including Strongs Road, Jaspers Brush Road, Morschels Lane, Devitts Lane, Pestells Lane and Abernethys Lane
  • Relocation and upgrade of existing bus stops at Mullers Lane, Croziers Road, Strongs Road, Morschels Lane, Lamonds Lane and Boxsells Lane
  • Drainage and flood mitigation structures.

Community information

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

  • What are the benefits of the highway upgrade between Berry and Bomaderry?
    The Princes Highway upgrade from Berry to Bomaderry completed a minimum four-lane divided route between Sydney and Jervis Bay Road, south of Nowra.

    This upgrade improves safety for all road users and local residents accessing the Princes Highway between Mullers Lane at Berry and Cambewarra Road at Bomaderry.

    Safety features of this upgrade include a divided carriageway; less curves, improved road shoulders, barriers and line marking; and the prevention of right hand turns by median separation and protected bays.

    Traffic efficiency will also be improved for road users on the NSW South Coast.

    The project is also supporting regional and local economic development.

  • How were the locations for the three interchanges determined?
    The three interchanges for the project, connecting Jaspers Brush Road and Strongs Road, Morschels Lane and Devitts Lane, and Pestells Lane and Meroo Road, are regularly spaced to provide an equitable level of access for the wider community between Berry and Bomaderry. Devitts Lane is located at the half way point of the alignment.

    Right-turn restrictions from local roads were introduced with the inclusion of a central median and significantly widened alignment of the new highway. Motorists will be required to turn left from local roads and travel to the nearest available overpass if they need to travel in the opposite direction.

  • How will the project improve safety and reduce accidents?
    A key objective of the Berry to Bomaderry Princes Highway upgrade is to improve road safety along the upgraded section of highway. The completed highway upgrade incorporates features that address causes of recent vehicle accidents on this section of the highway prior to the update. These safety features include:

    • a divided carriageway which reduces the likelihood of head on collisions
    • less curves, improved road shoulders and line marking reduces the likelihood of run off road crashes. In addition, barriers also reduce the risk of this crash type
    • prevention of right turns to driveway accesses by median separation and the provision of protected right turn bays at limited side roads reduce the risk of rear end impacts.
  • Was a bypass of Bomaderry considered?
    In September 2016, the NSW Government published the Princes Highway Corridor Strategy, which sets out the Government’s 20 year plan to manage and guide the development of the road corridor to improve safety, traffic efficiency and sustainability.

    The strategy was prepared by a multidisciplinary team from Transport for NSW with expertise in road safety, traffic, asset management, land use, environment, planning and development. The strategy sets out short term, medium term, and long term priorities to manage the highway.

    The strategy recognises Bomaderry and Nowra as key areas with traffic congestion issues on the Princes Highway. The most significant activity in the short term to improve traffic flow through Bomaderry and Nowra is the completion of the Nowra Bridge project.

Contact us

For further information about this project, please contact:

Email: SouthProjects@transport.nsw.gov.au

Mail: Transport for NSW, PO Box 477, Wollongong NSW 2520