Residents are being told to prepare for a year-long closure of a major Dapto Road. Photos: Wollongong City Council.
A major upgrade to West Dapto Road will see the thoroughfare fully closed to through traffic until at least mid-next year with the potential for weather or unforeseen delays to push the reopening date back even further.
The next phase of works to improve the thoroughfare will focus on the stretch between Shone Avenue and Yard Street, and include the construction of stormwater drainage, a new shared path including pedestrian bridge, road pavements and the continuation of relocation of electrical and water services.
This section of West Dapto Road will be temporarily closed from 29 July 2025 until mid-2026 while this construction is underway.
The road closure will help to reduce the construction timeline, deliver a higher quality road finish and save cost on the project.
“The decision to close a road for any length of time is never taken lightly, but reduced construction time and cost savings in this instance are significant,” Wollongong City Council Lord Mayor Tania Brown said.
“It will also ensure this major project is completed as efficiently as possible, and with the best possible result for the people that already call West Dapto home, and the many thousands more who will over the coming years.”
A Wollongong City Council spokesperson also said one lengthy road closure “allows the community to plan a consistent travel schedule via alternate routes and removes the longer, uncertain or unexpected delays and changes that come with movement through an active construction site under traffic control.”
Motorists will not be able to travel the full length of West Dapto Road until mid-2026.
Detour options will be in place to support residents in Wongawilli, Stream Hill and Horsley, but are expected to slightly increase travel time.
“These road closures will deliver short term pain for a long-term gain in West Dapto,” Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said.
“This upgrade will enable our community’s growth, delivering safer and more efficient travel routes.”
Primary detour routes will be via Fairwater Drive and Fowlers Road with M1 access, Bong Bong Road (no trucks), Princes Highway and Darkes Road (no trucks).
Bus services will also have altered routes, changed timetables and some longer journey times.
“We’re aware that road closure will be a temporary inconvenience, but we’ve worked to ensure safe alternative routes will minimise disruptions,” Cr Brown said.
“We’ve also worked extensively with Transport for NSW to ensure altered bus routes can continue as smoothly as possible for people in the area who rely on public transport.”
West Dapto Road upgrades have been identified as necessities to manage the growth in the area and are co-funded by NSW Government’s Housing Acceleration Fund.
“It’s great to see this important infrastructure project progressing to the next stage,” NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully said.
“This project received $26 million from the NSW Government because it is vital to unlock development to deliver more diverse regional housing.
“The West Dapto Road Upgrade Project is vital to serve the needs of this growing area, and it’s vitally important to deliver this essential piece of road infrastructure in a timely and cost-effective manner,” Cr Brown said. “We’re grateful for the funding support of the NSW Government to allow us to do that.”
Trip Planner will be updated from mid-July with new information to help those using pubic transport, with the community to be informed through this period with real-time traffic updates via variable message signs and changes on Live Traffic.
For more information on the project visit the Wollongong City Council website.
