The M1 interchange at the foot of Mt Ousley should have been built by now and needs to be fast-tracked, according to a transport expert.
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University of Wollongong Associate Professor Philip Laird said the interchange, which would separate light and heavy vehicle traffic and provide a northern entrance for the university, is sorely needed.
“My main concern is the F6 interchange – long overdue,” Dr Laird said.
“Especially when they keep dumping more grain on road and more coal on road, and the car carriers. We should have been getting it under the former state government.”
The NSW government on Monday announced construction company Jacobs had been awarded the contract to create a detailed concept design.
It had also provided $1 million in the last budget for planning.
“It’s good that they’re planning it but it needs some of the Sea Cliff Bridge treatment, where someone higher up says it’s obvious this thing is needed,” Dr Laird.
“The Sea Cliff Bridge was built from cabinet approval to opening within 29 months. With this one we might be lucky, it might follow the Albion Park Rail Bypass when it probably needs to be done contemporaneously with it.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward didn’t say whether the interchange and bypass would be done together.
As far as having a proponent in government pushing for the interchange, Mr Ward put his hand up.
“It’s my job as the parliamentary secretary to push for every dollar I can get for the region,” he said.
“I’m going to continue to be an unabashed and relentless ambassador for our region for projects that make a real difference.”