The commencement of work to build a noise barrier on the Princes Highway in Kiama to reduce noise in the surrounding area was announced on Tuesday. 

Funding was secured from the state government.

“The work will be carried out southbound on the Princes Highway near Bland Street from today until late September,” Kiama MP Gareth Ward said on Tuesday.

One southbound lane will be closed for the duration of work, which will be carried out between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and 8am and 1pm on Saturday.

The work will include digging and building a foundation for a 2.5m high noise barrier made up of a concrete base and clear panels.

A reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be in place during work hours, and 80 km/h through the work zone at all other times.

All lanes will be reopened for the June long weekend and opening weekend of the July school holidays.

Residents of the street had been appealing for sound barriers which they say will provide relief from ‘‘very disruptive’’ highway noise, claiming their quality of life was being compromised by traffic noise emanating from the highway.

Last year, Mr Ward announced up to $1 million in funding for noise abatement works to reduce noise in Coryule Place.

“Proper noise abatement should have been constructed when the Kiama bypass was commenced in December 1983; unfortunately this did not occur,” Mr Ward said. 

Mr Ward acknowledged the lobbying efforts of Coryule Place residents John Blom, Robert Behl and Matt Robinson.

Mr Behl said this marked the end of a five-year campaign by residents to have the issue addressed.

“We’re very excited… I have spoken to a number of residents in the street and we’re all looking forward to it with keen anticipation,” he said.

“It’s going to mean so much to us, to enjoy not only inside the house, but also our backyards as well.”

Although Mr Behl said he had no intention of selling, the works increasing property values in the street was a “bonus”.