Despite delays, work continues on Macquarie Pass road safety upgrade
The next stage of works to construct a retaining wall and widen the road has begun on Illawarra Highway’s Macquarie Pass
Disruptions on the Illawarra Highway’s Macquarie Pass, linking the coast and highlands, will occur for several more months, as work continues on major road upgrades that are running behind time.
When announcing the $10 million safety upgrades last September, the NSW Government said the work was essential to deliver wider lanes and new safety barriers, improving travel conditions for the 4,000 drivers who use the road daily. The works were expected to be completed in the first half of this year but are ongoing.
Most of the work is being carried out on a 200-metre stretch between the top two hairpin bends, a narrow and winding section of the road frequently affected by severe weather and slope instability.
Minor delays
With the upper section of the pass reduced to one lane, traffic signals remain in place, causing minor delays of up to five minutes for motorists.
A spokesperson for Transport for NSW said all soil nailing work has now been completed, and the next stage of work has begun to construct a retaining wall and widen the road. Work is expected to take approximately four months to complete, weather permitting.
“Work carried out on the pass is complex due to the steep terrain, slope stability challenges, and tight work areas that limit worker and vehicle access,” the spokesperson said. “The stabilisation work will prevent further deterioration of slope, minimise unplanned closures, and ensure long-term road safety.
Photos: Transport for NSW
“The work will also deliver three-metre wide travel lanes in both directions, new kerb and safety barriers along the length of the site, improved drainage, new asphalt and line marking to make it safer and easier to navigate for motorists.”
Transport for NSW is also carrying out safety improvements at a separate location towards the bottom of the pass, about 900 metres above the Cascade Falls Picnic Area. Weather permitting, this work is expected to be completed before the end of this month.
Originally, the project was expected to be completed in six months but this timeline has blown out. “The final costs will be made public when known,” the spokesperson said.
“Keeping the Illawarra Highway open at night, when other key detour routes undergo closures to complete high-priority work, has also contributed to the overall timeline. We appreciate the community’s patience while this work is carried out.”
Work hours will continue to be 8pm to 4am, Sunday to Thursday nights until the work is complete.
