Major works on Heathcote Road and Linden Street, Sutherland scheduled for same time
Major upgrades of the Heathcote Road bridge at Engadine and Linden Street, Sutherland will be carried out simultaneously, starting at the end of this year.
Transport for NSW announced on Monday the same contractor will carry out both projects.
The move is questionable because the transport authority previously announced the eastern end of Heathcote Road would be closed for six months for the bridge upgrade, forcing traffic on to the alternative route through Menai to Sutherland via Linden Street.
In response to Leader questions, a spokesman said, "While the safe delivery of the construction project on Heathcote Road bridge requires road closures, Transport for NSW is investigating alternatives to minimise the duration of daytime closures where possible".
"Transport will appoint a design and construction alliance to streamline project delivery and minimise road closures and traffic diversions," the spokesman said.
"The contractor alliance will concurrently manage the Linden Street and Heathcote Road bridge projects, keeping the community's needs front and centre.
"Transport for NSW will continue to keep the community updated throughout delivery of this important work."
Despite objections by Sutherland Shire, Wollongong and Liverpool councils, the state government is pushing ahead with plans to widen the bridge, while retaining just one lane in each direction.
Heathcote MP Lee Evans, who promised at the last election the bridge would be duplicated but was overruled by Transport Minister Andrew Constance, said in a written statement tenders had been called for a contractor to design and construct the bridge project.
Surveying would would start in the next few months.
"The contractor for the Heathcote Road bridge upgrade will be appointed by late 2021, with work on track to start at the end of this year," he said.
"Additionally, the new contractor will also complete Transport for NSW's Linden Street project, which is also scheduled to start at the end of this year.
"This will allow any interrelated impacts from these projects, such as road and lane closures and detours, to be managed concurrently."
Mr Evans said the Heathcote Road bridge project would see the lanes on the bridge and approaches widened to standard lane widths of three and a half metres with 1.2 metre shoulders.
"The upgrade would complement a number of safety improvements carried out on Heathcote Road," he said.
"Transport for NSW has already reduced the speed limit, carried out intersection and lane widening improvements in various locations, and installed audio tactile lane markings along the entire corridor, which vibrate to alert motorists when they are outside their lane," he said.
"These improvements have been instrumental in boosting safety along the corridor and form part of the long term vision for Heathcote Road along with the imminent bridge upgrade.
"In addition to the $183 million in funding that has been committed for the full duplication of Heathcote Road between Infantry Parade and The Avenue, $35 million has also been committed to investigate the full duplication between The Avenue and Princes Highway."