Before and after shots looking west on Tripoli Way towards the Calderwood Road intersection. (Artist’s impression, subject to change). Photos: Shellharbour City Council.
More than 60 years after Albion Park’s Tripoli Way extension was first flagged, work is expected to start on the $40 million project early this year.
Days out from Christmas, the NSW Government announced $4.2 million would be added to the $16 million already allocated to Shellharbour City Council for the work. The funding was promised by the NSW Labor Party before last year’s state election.
The project will create a continuous route between the Broughton Street/Illawarra Highway intersection in the west, to Terry Street/Illawarra Highway in the east, avoiding the busy Albion Park town centre.
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer welcomed the funding commitment and said it was a “significant contribution to a much-needed addition to the city’s transport network”.
“This funding is fantastic news. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the NSW State Government for its support in recognising the importance of this project,” he said.
“The Tripoli Way extension will bypass the Albion Park town centre, improving traffic flow along Tongarra Rd and surrounding streets, as well as improving safety for all road users.
“The NSW Government’s contribution brings this long-awaited jointly funded project a step closer to becoming a reality,” he said.
Watch this video of the proposed work.
The project will provide a continuous route from east to west, avoiding the Albion Park town centre.
Before and after shots looking south on Terry Street towards the intersection of Tripoli Way. A new signalised intersection will provide access to the town centre and turning lanes to the Tripoli Way extension. (Artist’s impression, subject to change).
The extension of Tripoli Way has been on council’s radar since 1961 when it identified the long-term need for an Albion Park bypass between Terry Street and Broughton Avenue.
The project will extend, widen and upgrade the existing Tripoli Way and The Expressway (between Moles Street and Calderwood Road) in Albion Park. Overall costs are estimated at more than $40 million.
A significant portion of the project will be on council-owned land, however some private properties will be impacted with land needing to be acquired for the project.
Council is yet to confirm the extent of property acquisition but said it planned to consult directly with impacted landholders regarding the potential acquisition process.
The Tripoli Way extension is a separate project to the Albion Park Rail bypass (APRb) which opened in late 2021, but was developed with consideration of the broader traffic network, including the implications of the APRb on local and regional traffic.
The project will improve connectivity with the APRb bypass northbound entry and southbound exit ramps.
Early works are expected to begin on the western end of Tripoli Way once all approvals have been obtained and will include earthworks, sewer relocation and protection, construction of specific driveways, and any other required elements ahead of the main works, due to start in early 2025.
For more information and an expected timeline, visit Shellharbour Council’s website.
Original Article published by Jen White on Region Illawarra.
