A new round of transport infrastructure improvements is set to commence in the northern Illawarra from 12 July, causing some disruptions for commuters across the Heathcote Electorate.
Work to repair landslip damage to the road and pedestrian footpath on Lawrence Hargrave Drive about 50 metres north of the Scarborough Public School will start on 15 July 2024. Additionally, track maintenance will take place from 9:15am Friday 12 July to 2am Monday the 15 July between Sutherland and Thirroul on the South Coast Line.
Embankment and cutting works will take place at Coalcliff, with ongoing maintenance across the rail line.
There will be some disruptions to residents, including additional noise and limited parking near access gates of impacted stations. Traffic controllers will be on duty to assist motorists and pedestrians through the duration of the works.
Work to repair landslip damage to the road and footpath in Scarborough will involve digging to remove loose soil and rock, installing soil nails under the road to add strength, back-filling to reduce pressure on the slope and spraying concrete to help prevent erosion.
This road was initially damaged during a severe weather event in March 2022 when a landslip occurred on the downslope section and destabilised the edge of the road.
Since that time, Transport for NSW have carried out extensive geotechnical investigations, measuring slope movement and moisture in the ground to help develop a repair solution.
This area then experienced further heavy rainfall in April and May 2024, causing further damage forcing the road to be reduced to a single lane for the safety of motorists while new repair plans were finalised.
The Australian and NSW governments provided $2 million for the work through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The repairs will be carried out on weekdays, from 7am to 6pm and are expected to take 12 weeks to complete, weather permitting.
The existing changed traffic conditions will remain in place, including a single lane closure and reduced speed limit of 40 km/h.
Night closures may occur at the end of the program. The community will be notified before these are carried out.
Transport is also completing designs for repairs to another landslip site at Stanwell Park between Railway Crescent and Chellow Dene Avenue where traffic has also been limited to single lane operations. The first stage of this work will include relocating electricity services before major work can begin.
Until the repairs at Scarborough and Stanwell Park are completed and the lane restrictions are removed, Transport will limit road work on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, requiring traffic control, to only urgent maintenance, repairs, and investigations.
Transport will also coordinate the work at the Scarborough location with work on Bulli Pass and Mount Ousley Road to ensure traffic access is maintained for motorists in the northern suburbs of Wollongong.
For more information on roads visit nswroads.work/lhd_repairs.
For more information on upcoming track work visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sydtraincommunity
Quotes attributable to Maryanne Stuart MP, Member for Heathcote:
“The northern Illawarra has experienced significant disruptions due to significant flooding in March and April of this year. I have worked closely with residents and Transport for NSW to build back better and build a stronger and more resilient community.
After 12 years of neglect of our critical infrastructure in NSW by the former Liberal-National Government, I am committed to continue working with Transport for NSW to ensure the roads and rail in my electorate are fit for purpose and built with resilience.”
