The Federal and New South Wales Governments have jointly invested an additional $150 million to the delivery of the Mount Ousley Interchange along the M1 Princes Motorway, in order to improve safety and commute times through the Illawarra.
An additional $72 million is being delivered to this project through the 2024-25 Federal Budget, bringing the total Federal Government commitment to $312 million.
The New South Wales Government is also investing $78 million towards the $390 million project.
When complete, the new Mount Ousley Interchange will include southbound heavy vehicle bypass lanes and safety ramps, a commuter carpark, and a shared path and vehicle overpass for improved access between Mount Ousley Road, M1 Princes Motorway and the University of Wollongong.
Major work is expected to start in late-2024 and the project is expected to take about four years to complete, weather permitting.
The Federal Government has also committed $5 million to undertake a final business case on improving the safety and resilience of the M1 Princes Motorway at Mount Ousley, with planning works expected to be completed by mid-2027.
An estimated five million tonnes of freight travels the M1 Princes Motorway each year, as one of the main road freight corridors to and from the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region.
The funding is part of over $3.1 billion towards vital land transport infrastructure projects in New South Wales in the recent Federal Budget.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said that this new and additional funding is great news for the more than 50,000 motorists who travel through the base of Mount Ousley each day, who are now another step closer to safer and faster journeys.
“We are committed to ensuring delivery of this critical piece of infrastructure, which will not only improve travel times for motorists but also provide safer journeys and support growing freight movements to the south coast,” Ms King said.
Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain, said that the M1 Princes Motorway at Mount Ousley is a busy and vital route for tourists, locals and the freight industry in the Illawarra region, which is why the government has committed to reducing congestion and delays.
“This additional funding from the Federal Government is part of our commitment to upgrading regional road networks to ensure they’re fit-for-purpose, connect regional people to economic opportunities, and keep motorists and hard-working truckies safe,” Ms McBain said.
New South Wales Minister for Roads, John Graham, said that Federal and State Governments’ major partnership to invest in this critical project for the Illawarra and south coast region demonstrates their shared commitment to significantly improve the M1 Princes Motorway.
“This is a busy and vital route for visitors to the region, locals, businesses and the freight industry, which is why we are getting on with the job of getting key upgrades built,” Mr Graham said.
New South Wales Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Ryan Park, said that the new Mount Ousley Interchange is a critical piece of infrastructure for the Illawarra region – a project that will provide work and training opportunities for up to 450 people throughout construction.
“This major improvement is one of my priorities as Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast and something I’ve advocated for our community for a long time,” Mr Park said.
“I’m very excited by every milestone in this project that gets us closer to achieving a safer and more efficient journey for the 50,000 motorists who travel along this route each day.”
Image: Sanatana/shutterstock.com
