Shellharbour City Council is due to begin early works on the Tripoli Way Extension Project in 2025.
Construction will be carried out in two stages, with preliminary work for electrical utility relocations to begin in early 2025, with main works following from June.
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾r is excited for the project to break ground after being on the Council’s agenda since 1961.
“The Tripoli Way Extension is a vital project for our growing community, enhancing the efficiency and safety of our roads,” Mayor ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾r said.
The primary objective of this project is to alleviate congestion on the Illawarra Highway in Albion Park by establishing an uninterrupted travel route connecting Terry Street in the east to Broughton Avenue in the west, effectively bypassing the town centre.
Design consultant, Indesco, are 80% complete with the detailed design for the project and are awaiting review from Transport for NSW.
“This is a huge infrastructure project, and while it promises great benefits for many in our community, we will continue to work closely with those most impacted to keep disruptions to a minimum,” Mayor ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾r said.
“We know that change isn’t always easy, and some of our residents have concerns about what’s ahead. But the Tripoli Way Project is about improving a key transport link in the city, and the early works signify the beginning of a broader vision for a more connected and sustainable future for our community.”
“I encourage everyone to stay informed about the progress of this project and thank our residents for their patience and support as we work to deliver long-term benefits for all.”
The determination of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project was made in September 2024, which considered factors such as traffic, noise, ecology, heritage, water quality, flooding, and social impacts, as well as proposing measures to minimise and manage them.
Further approvals involving Transport for NSW, Aboriginal Heritage, fisheries and various utility authorities for water, power and telecommunications are underway.
The NSW State Government has contributed a total of $20.8 million to the Tripoli Way Extension Project. This includes $16.6 million provided as part of the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund, which was increased by an additional $4.2 million in December 2023. The Regional NSW Business Case and Strategy Fund also contributed $200,000 towards the project.
