Wollongong City Council has completed approximately 70 per cent of works required to re-open West Dapto Road to traffic after finalising the relocation of essential service infrastructure.
While these works are not visible in recent drone flyovers, the modification and relocation of essential electrical, gas, NBN, communications, wastewater, and water supply infrastructure are key factors in the project in order to reopen West Dapto Road to traffic.
Bulk earthworks on the northern side of the road have been completed, as well as piling works for the new pedestrian bridge, with abutment works now underway. Stormwater works are also progressing, focusing on completion of stormwater pit and pipe installation.
To date, works fully completed include:
- High-voltage electrical works
- Wastewater modification works
- NBN Works
- Gas relocation works
- Pedestrian bridge piling works
- Bulk earthworks on northern side
With the completion of most service relocations and the start of stormwater works, work has also progressed in the milling of the existing road pavement in preparation for new pavement construction anticipated to start by the end of the month.
Works on a new shared path will follow thereafter, with construction to continue after re-opening to traffic to complete works as previously planned.
Keeping the community updated
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said Council will keep the community in the loop as works progress.
"There is often more to projects like this than meets the eye, and that has certainly been the case here, with significant work occurring behind the scenes that isn't visible—particularly the extensive service relocations, most of which take place underground," Cr Brown said.
"I'm pleased to see that around 70 per cent of works required to re-open the road to traffic have been completed. As we've said since we first began the project, we do appreciate the patience of our community that will experience the benefits of this project for many years to come.
"We've had some unanticipated hurdles to clear, including the discovery of microbats. There is a process we must follow to rehome the microbats, but we are doing absolutely everything we can to re-open West Dapto Road to traffic as soon as possible.
"Works are continuing either side of the culvert and, depending on how that progresses, we'll look at the feasibility of potentially opening one lane of traffic at morning and afternoon peak times, bearing in mind we don't want to do anything that will delay completion of the project.
"We'll be providing fortnightly updates to the community as work progresses and we look forward to seeing this upgrade fully completed for our residents to enjoy."
Managing the Microbats
Council has worked with our principal contractor to prepare a Microbat Management Plan (MMP) to safely relocate the colony of threatened Southern Myotis Microbats recently discovered within a culvert set for demolition. The MMP has been finalised and issued to DCCEEW for approval and temporary microbat habitat has been installed at the site to commence safe relocation of the colony.
We understand these unanticipated circumstances have significant impacts on our community and we are doing everything we can to deliver this project as soon as possible. We appreciate the patience of residents and road users as we work to re-open West Dapto Road to traffic and we will continue to provide fortnightly updates to the community until project completion.
Stay updated
Our West Dapto Road Upgrade project page will be updated regularly. You'll find some updated FAQs and you can subscribe to be notified when an update is available. Visit our subscription page and follow the prompts to receive e-notifications.
The West Dapto Road upgrade project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Wollongong City Council.
