Summer traffic congestion has turned a corner with a new roundabout at Malua Bay. This is Eurobodalla's second major roundabout for George Bass Drive this year, with the first finished at Broulee in July.
Council's director of infrastructure Graham Attenborough says the Malua Bay roundabout will tame peak-period traffic, where the intersection with Sylvan Street and Kuppa Avenue serves both a large number of homes and a popular beachfront reserve and shops.
"It's smoother and safer for everyone. Roundabouts don't just keep traffic moving – they reduce the number and severity of accidents, and add crossing points for pedestrians," Mr Attenborough says.
Roundabouts are part of Council's Transport Network Plan – which outlines a shire-wide approach to a safe, accessible and built to last roads. Construction of another major roundabout will soon be underway, this time on the Princes Highway at the southern edge of Moruya, supporting housing development in the town's south and improving access to TAFE, the Essential Energy station and future emergency operations centre.
"We're not stopping there," Mr Attenborough says.
"We're working hard to secure funding for another roundabout from our Transport Network Plan, this time at Broulee's Train Street – again to reduce congestion and improve safety."
Big roundabouts come with a big price tag and need to be part of the bigger plan for a safe and efficient road network that serves the shire into the future. Council secured $4 million of Australian Government Community Enabling Infrastructure Stream money for Moruya and $3.3 million of NSW Government Fixing Country Roads funding for Malua Bay. The NSW Government is also building a roundabout to service the new Eurobodalla Hospital.
