Concept art of how the intersection will look when completed by early 2028. Image: Transport for NSW.
Work on the long-awaited upgrade to the junction of the Princes Highway and Jervis Bay Road south of Nowra is expected to begin in March.
The jointly funded project is part of a larger $2.55 billion program of joint investment in the Princes Highway, including the planned Milton Ulladulla Bypass corridor further south, and comes after the new Nowra Bridge was completed in 2023.
The intersection is the busiest on the highway between Nowra and the Victorian border, and has been the site of 15 major accidents in the past five years.
The new junction will include a grade-separated flyover intersection providing an overpass across the Princes Highway, with a roundabout on each side of Jervis Bay Road. In addition, the highway will be widened to two lanes in each direction, and longer entry and exit lanes will give better access to the road when travelling north and south.
The upgrade will provide about 110 jobs during construction, and the work schedule has been refined to reduce the impacts of out-of-hours work on nearby residents.
The project will be delivered by contractor SRG Global Civil Pty Ltd and is expected to be completed by early 2028.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said: “The Australian Government’s commitment to jointly fund this upgrade with the NSW Government ensures that the South Coast region can benefit from safer roads for locals, tourists and freight industries.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the work would help locals and tourists reach places such as Huskisson, Vincentia and Jervis Bay faster and safer.
“The Jervis Bay and South Coast communities deserve this important upgrade and we’re proud to be delivering it for them,” he said.
“I want to pay credit to those who have fought for this vital upgrade, including the Vincentia Matters group. This milestone reflects all your hard work and advocacy.
“Residents and motorists on the South Coast will benefit for years to come from this work funded by the NSW and Australian governments.”
Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain added: “The start of major work on this project will be welcome news for all motorists on the NSW South Coast, especially those who have campaigned for safety and efficiency upgrades at this intersection.
“The Australian Government is committed to investing in major infrastructure projects like the Princes Highway, and this work will streamline access points to popular residential and tourist locations on the South Coast.”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said the project was long overdue, and that it was vital to local people, businesses, tourists and freight operators.
“It is great to see the Australian and NSW Labor governments breaking ground on this transformative project that will improve safety for our communities,” she said.
“The NSW Government is committed to working with the community and transport industries to deliver this project and we thank everyone for their advocacy and input into the plans for this incredible project.”
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips described the intersection as the key gateway to Jervis Bay.
“Local people know how dangerous and inappropriate this intersection is for the volume of traffic that passes through it,” she said.
“I have fought alongside the community for years to ensure this important road receives the upgrade it deserves.
“I am absolutely delighted to see that hard work pay off with major construction of our hard-won flyover about to start – this is a relief for locals and tourists alike and I look forward to seeing it complete.”
More about the upgrade can be found here.
