Council wants answers from state government on 'never-ending' Kirrawee roadworks
Sutherland Shire Council doubts the long, drawn-out upgrade of Princes Highway, Kirrawee will be completed by the end of this year.
The council is writing to Transport for NSW, expressing concern at the "lengthy delays" and "the significant impact this has caused for businesses and homes adjoining the roadworks".
The transport authority will be asked for specific timeframes on the completion of remaining works so as to provide certainty for commuters, residents and business owners.
Transport for NSW announced in late December 2000 the roadworks contract had been terminated "by agreement between the parties", and that a new contractor would be appointed early in the new year, and the upgrade should be completed in mid-2021.
On March 12, the authority said Burton Contractors had been engaged to complete the project and would start work on March 15.
"We...will be working together closely to see the project completed by the end of the year," the statement said.
The council meeting heard councillors, including Mayor Steve Simpson, had been contacted by local business owners and residents, who were distressed by the delays.
Cr Jack Boyd, who moved that council seek clarity, said the roadworks were "never ending".
"It has been three years since the state government announced the project but, sadly, little progress has been made in the past year," he said.
Meanwhile, a group of parents are concerned for the safety of their children because of the height of a wall next to an upgraded section.
Wall "danger": Parents fear a load from a passing truck could fall over the wall on the edge of the widened highway. Picture: Geoff Jones
The residents say the 1200mm high concrete barrier on the edge of the widened road is below the level of trays on passing trucks and if a load fell from a vehicle - which they have seen happen several times - it could go straight over the wall on to the service road where children ride bikes.
A Transport for NSW statement said the barrier exceeded the minimum height requirement by 50cm and both it and the associated retaining wall were designed to meet Australian Standard 5100 for Bridge Design.