Wednesday’s closure of the M1 Princes Motorway at Mt Ousley heightens the need for an extension of Memorial Drive through to Bulli Pass, according to Keira MP Ryan Park
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A truck fire on Wednesday near the Mt Pleasant Road overpass saw the motorway closed in both directions, causing traffic snarls.
In October last year two truck accidents on the motorway led to serious traffic chaos as the road was closed for hours.
Mr Park, who is also shadow minister for the Illawarra, said these incidents highlighted the need for the talked-about extension of Memorial Drive, to link it with Bulli Pass.
“Incidents on Mt Ousley Road are becoming a regular occurrence and the associated traffic congestion is almost immediate,” Mr Park said.
“What I want to see is the Liberal Government committing to funding the next stage of the Memorial Drive extension.
“Completing this missing link would ensure that locals have an ability to commute into Wollongong and up to Sydney with minimum delay, reducing congestion and improving safety.”
A spokesman for Roads and Maritime Services said “preliminary development investigations” have been carried out on several Memorial Drive options to link it to Bulli Pass.
“Early investigations have identified the steepness of the terrain will prevent heavy vehicle usage on the escarpment,” the spokesman said.
“Investigations are being carried out to determine the best appropriate future management of Memorial Drive and the Princes Highway through Bulli.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward said he was waiting for the RMS report on the Thirroul to Unanderra Network Strategy study, which included Memorial Drive.
Mr Ward said an extension of Memorial Drive was one of a number of priorities for roads in the Illawarra.
“I've made it clear that the next major priority is the Albion Park Rail bypass but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to examine problems and do our best to address them, which is what we will do in relation to Memorial Drive,” Mr Ward said.
“I’ve been stuck in traffic on Memorial Drive too. I travel there frequently in my role as parliamentary secretary and I appreciate the frustration.
“I’m doing as much as I can for the region when it comes to roads.”