The Woronora River Bridge at Engadine will still only have one lane in each direction under plans for a $173 million upgrade of Heathcote Road.
Heathcote MP Lee Evans said that was the situation “at this stage”, but there would be community consultation later in the year.
Mr Evans said the existing bridge lanes would be widened, which would make them safer and easier to navigate.
The approach roads on both sides of the bridge would be widened to two lanes in each direction, he said.
Mr Evans said he was advised $130 million of the $173 million budget funding would be spent at the eastern end of Heathcote Road.
A media statement released earlier by Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said the $173 million budget boost “will improve safety and traffic flow on Heathcote Road, including widening the existing bridge across the Woronora River at Engadine and duplicating 2.2 kilometres between Infantry Parade and The Avenue at Holsworthy”.
Mr Evans has previously pushed for the bridge to be duplicated, not only to provide extra capacity but also to avoid disruption to traffic on the existing bridge.
He said on Friday that “would have been my preferrred option, but what we are doing, as I understand it, will make it possible to put in a second bridge in the future”.
Mr Evans said widening the existing lanes on the bridge would still be of great benefit to motorists.
“If you have a B-double coming the other way it’s fairly hairy,” he said.
“You won’t have the issue that you might get hit by the mirror.
“It will be wide enough for two trucks to pass without any issue.”
Mr Evans said he expected the work to start over the next two years.
Tenders for the wideing of the approach roads would be called late this year, he said.
Earlier
The narrow bridge across Woronora River will be widened as part of a $173 million funding package for Heathcote Road.
The funding to be allocated in this month’s budget will also duplicate the 2.2 kilometres section of the road between Infantry Parade and The Avenue at Holsworthy.
The timeframe for the work was not given in a statement by Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Roads Minister Melinda Pavey.
Mr Perrottet said the work would make a big difference for the 36,000 drivers who used the road each day.
The Woronora River bridge has been the scene of multiple accidents, including that which claimed the life of off-duty firefighter Drew Cullen in 2015.
Heathcote MP Lee Evans said the bridge’s narrow lanes and approaches would be widened and road shoulders installed to improve safety and traffic flow.
“Work will also be carried out to build additional climbing lanes on either side of the bridge crossing, to further help improve safety,” he said.
Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons said the two kilometre section between Infantry Parade at Holsworthy and the Avenue at Voyager Point would be widened to two lanes in each direction reducing congestion.
More to come
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