A roundabout to control traffic at Bomaderry isn't enough - by Christmas there will be traffic lights too.
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But Kiama MP Gareth Ward fears it could turn into another Oak Flats interchange, which now frustrates motorists with five sets of traffic lights.
Transport for NSW this week announced plans to add a set of traffic lights at the Cambewarra Road-Moss Vale Road intersection - that's the one with the McDonald's on the corner for those who only visit during the summer holidays.
"Traffic lights will be installed northbound on the Princes Highway to help drivers on Moss Vale Road have better access to the Princes Highway during busy times like the morning commute, and summer holidays," a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.
"Sensors will detect when queues are building along Moss Vale Road and activate the traffic lights to briefly pause northbound highway traffic so local motorists can get onto the highway. The rest of the time the roundabout will operate as normal.
"Pedestrians and cyclists will also benefit from around 100 metres of shared path being built near the roundabout to increase safety and active transport options."
The spokesperson said the intersection was earmarked for broader improvements and that these traffic lights - to be operational by Christmas - were an interim solution.
Mr Ward said it was "poor form" that Transport for NSW did not notify him of the plans in advance; he said he only heard about the traffic lights when the department sent out a press release.
He felt the public should have been consulted before the traffic lights go in.
"As a general principle I never like to see additional sets of lights on any highway but there's no doubt that some have expressed concern about accessing that roundabout," Mr Ward said.
"Whether lights are the right solution I'm not sure, but I would have liked that opportunity to discuss that matter.
"The whole point of roundabouts, I thought, was that you didn't need lights. If there's a problem with the roundabout then perhaps that should be addressed."
The roundabout is at the southern end of the Berry to Bomaderry stage of the Princes Highway upgrade, which Mr Ward said was due to be completed next year.
He couldn't understand why Transport for NSW hadn't waited for that to be finished before making decisions about this intersection.
"I would have thought that we would have waited until after Berry to Bomaderry had been completed to see whether or not there had been any changes in traffic conditions," he said.
"That's the time I would have thought it would have made the most sense to look at traffic treatment options."
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Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
