Bulli bypass
Project overview
Transport for NSW is investigating the extension of Memorial Drive to provide a bypass of the Bulli town centre. The project will also consider other transport improvements that could be made to improve safety, reduce congestion, and improve travel times and amenity within the Bulli area.
Early investigations and planning for the project will involve:
- identifying a feasible location and footprint for the Bulli bypass
- surveying and evaluating the physical constraints of the project area
- identifying impacts and benefits to future capacity and the wider transport network, including the local road network
- identifying how a bypass will support long term transport and land use goals for the area
- considering the environmental impacts of the project.
The Bulli bypass aims to benefit the community by:
- reducing travel times and easing congestion on the Princes Highway through Bulli
- unlocking opportunities to improve amenity at the Bulli town centre for the benefit of locals, businesses and visitors
- improving road safety throughout the surrounding network
- improving network resilience and future capacity by providing new detour routes for freight and road users.
Project information
The Princes Highway plays an important role in the Illawarra region’s transport network, providing a key suburban route, and linking Wollongong to its northern suburbs and Sydney.
The highway currently provides access to the town centre of Bulli, allowing the community to access local amenities and service.
During peak periods, congestion is experienced by road users within the Bulli town centre and along the Princes Highway. This has raised concerns about the existing road corridor and its future capacity.
Frequently asked questions
What does the early investigation work include?
Early investigations and planning for the project will involve:
- engaging with the community to understand their experience of the transport network in and around Bulli
- identifying a feasible location and footprint for the Bulli bypass
- surveying and evaluating the physical constraints of the project area
- identifying impacts and benefits to future capacity and the wider transport network, including the local road network and the Bulli town centre
- identifying how a bypass will support long term transport and land use goals for the area
- considering the environmental impacts of the project.
What will a bypass look like?
The Bulli bypass proposal would see Memorial Drive extended north from the Memorial Drive roundabout. The project will investigate and assess several corridor options for a Bulli bypass, including longer routes that extend Memorial Drive all the way up to the top of Bulli Pass as well as shorter routes that extend Memorial Drive to the bottom or to a lower point on Bulli Pass.
How long will investigation work take?
These early investigations will be robust and, while crucial in helping us plan an appropriate bypass option, will take time to carry out. This early investigation work will lead to a strategic options report and a strategic business case. If the strategic business case is endorsed to proceed, a final business case will also be prepared.
Will previous studies be considered?
The findings from previous studies will be considered during this investigation although the project will also include further investigation into options that haven’t been considered previously.
How will the community be involved in the development of the project?
As part of this early planning work, the community was invited to provide their input on the Bulli bypass by taking the online survey and using our interactive mapping tool on the Have Your Say website. Consultation was open in February and March 2024
The input received will help Transport understand what the community is experiencing in and around Bulli and what’s important to them when it comes to transportation in the area.
Transport will continue to keep the community informed as the Bulli bypass investigations continue.
Why is Transport considering a Bulli bypass?
Transport received community feedback and support for a bypass through consultation in June and July 2021, and a bypass was the most common suggestion for improving traffic efficiency on the Princes Highway. An investigation of a Bulli bypass was identified as a priority for the Illawarra and received funding in the NSW 2023-24 Budget.
When will work start on building a Bulli bypass?
The proposed Bulli bypass is not currently funded for construction.
How does this project relate to the Bulli town centre improvements project?
As part of the Bulli town centre improvements project, Transport consulted with the community in 2019 to better understand their lived experience of the transport network in and around Bulli.
Following the consultation, a proposal to improve traffic efficiency was put on exhibition for public feedback in 2021. Feedback from the community included strong interest around the possibility of extending Memorial Drive to provide a bypass of Bulli.
The Bulli bypass project will investigate the potential impacts and benefits of this bypass. This was out-of-scope for the Bulli town centre improvements project.
The feedback received as part of the Bulli town centre improvements project will be used to help inform the Bulli bypass project.
For more information, please refer to the Bulli town centre improvements project webpage.
Community notifications
Community consultation
2024 - Transport received input from the community specific to the Bulli bypass project in February and March, 2024. The input received will be reviewed and considered by the project team, with a Consultation Summary Report to be published for the information of the community.
2019 and 2021 - Community consultation was carried out in 2019 and 2021 to gather customer feedback on transport efficiency in the Bulli and Thirroul area. A range of safety, pedestrian and placemaking improvements have been carried out and are planned, in response to community feedback.
Contact us
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Email: southprojects@transport.nsw.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 477, Wollongong NSW 2500
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