Wollongong City Council, New South Wales, has opened its largest ever infrastructure project – the new Karrara Bridge – at a cost of $71 million.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said, “This is a great example of how the Australian Government’s investment in infrastructure nationwide is setting the foundations for economic recovery on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz, said Karrara Bridge would not only improve access during flooding events but also allow for future growth in the Illawarra.
“Thousands of people are expected to use the new bridge each day, improving commute times and reducing congestion on other roads.”
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services and Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, congratulated Wollongong City Council on delivering the vital infrastructure project, saying it would provide a vital new link for Illawarra’s road connectivity.
Lord Mayor, Gordon Bradbery AM, said the road link provided vital access and helped connect Dapto Town Centre, the Princes Highway and the M1 Princes motorway with the growing West Dapto area.
“We’re pleased to deliver this major project on time and on budget. One of the things that makes me particularly happy is how community members and students from the local high school and primary schools also have been involved in its development.
“This complex project has been many years in the making and I appreciate the local community’s patience as we built this essential road link and bridge.
“This is a major piece in Council’s efforts to make West Dapto more flood resilient. It is part of the West Dapto access strategy which ultimately will be put in place to service this growing part of our City.
As funds become available other pieces will be progressed so we invite the State Government to continue to work with us to deliver outcomes such as this.”
The project was funded by the Australian Government, the Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund, Office of Local Government’s Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme and Department of Planning and Infrastructure and Wollongong City Council.
