IT HAS been a long time coming, but the Bega Bypass has received the green light.
Federal Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, Regional Development and Local Government Anthony Albanese yesterday announ-ced the doubling of the federal government’s commitment to $68 million with another $17 million from the state government.
The bypass has been on the drawing board for over 40 years and while planning was announced last year, the final road will be far superior than originally planned, according to Mr Albanese.
The new 3.5km bypass would extend from the south side of the existing Bega River bridge to Finucane Lane to the south, with new bridge crossings at High Street and Ravenswood Street, as well as two major access points linking the town, the bypass and properties to the west of the bypass.
Mr Albanese was joined by Member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly and NSW Roads Minister David Borger to announce that environmental approvals would begin in September with actual construction to start in 2011.
“Today’s a great day for Bega and we have moved ahead with planning and community consultation and what the community has said is that they wanted something better than what was on offer,” Mr Albanese said.
“So we are delivering that today: a Bega bypass fully signed off on prior to (government) caretaker mode, so the money is there.
“This will be 3.5kms of road that are the most important 3.5kms of road for this region.
“Because during the construction phase it will create hundreds of jobs and economic activity here in Bega, but more importantly, for decades to come create a road which is safer for all who travel on it.”
Mr Albanese said Mr Kelly had been a “persistent advocate” for the project.
“I committed to Mike that we would do everything we could to make sure that, given that Bega has waited since 1965, that it didn’t happen in any second grade or piecemeal way.”
Once completed in 2013, Mr Albanese said, the new bypass would deliver safer, quicker driving conditions along the local section of the Princes Highway and take more than 500 trucks a day off the main street of Bega.
Mr Borger said the NSW Government’s decision to invest $17 million in the project reinforced its commitment to Bega and the surrounding region.
“We’ve consulted extensively with local businesses and the community, taking on board their views in developing the best route for the bypass,” he said.
“It means that Bega gets its main street back and there’s less congestion and quicker travel times.
“During construction some 500 direct and indirect jobs will be created, providing a major boost to the local economy and we are absolutely committed to delivering this project by 2013.”
Mr Kelly said the bypass would improve safety and improve the quality of life for Bega residents after so many years of waiting.
“I was five-years-old at my father’s knee when they first started talking about this,” he said.
“This is such an important thing for our community and it will unclog the artery (through Bega) and give greater safety for the town and improve Carp Street so it can take advantage of the magnificent potential in tourism terms of what is one of the best most important historic towns in the region.”
When asked whether he was concerned about allegations of “pork barreling” as Eden-Monaro is an important seat in the coming election, Mr Albanese said he wasn’t concerned.
“Not at all; this is a necessary project (and) we have undertaken through the RTA appropriate consultation and out of it we have a better project”.
Mr Albanese said the extra cost was due to it being a much bigger project with a “new bridge and when you increase the length of the road you increase your cost substantially.”
Mr Albanese said he looked forward to coming back with Mr Kelly (when the project is completed) and walking through the ribbon.
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