Drilling rigs are popping up in St George and Sutherland Shire as tests are conducted for the proposed M1 Princes Motorway (F6) extension.
There is even a rig operating in the Georges River, near Captain Cook Bridge.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) said geotechnical analysis was being carried out to determine rock and soil conditions along the corridor.
Sans Souci resident Richard Loader has been watching the work in the park next to Captain Cook bridge, close to his home.
Mr Loader said the main question he and his neighbours wanted answered was, “Will it go over or under [the ground]”?
“Naturally, we want it to be underground, otherwise our homes may have to go,” he said.
“We would also like to know how long it will be before it is built, and what the effect will be on Rocky Point Road?”
Mr Loader expects it could still be many years away.
“I have lived here for 18 years, but for all my life they have been talking about this road,” he said.
RMS did not answer any of those questions in a fact sheet sent to residents.
The brochure said the work was part of investigations into a possible link between the M1 Princes Motorway at Waterfall and the proposed WestConnex southern extension to Kogarah.
“Along the Princes Highway between Tom Uglys Bridge and St Peters, there are 42 sets of traffic lights and a further 18 sets of lights between [the bridge] and Loftus,” RMS said.
“Congestion along this route is significant in peak times [and] motorists using The Grand Parade also regularly experience heavy traffic through this busy corridor.”
