Changes to Terry Street in Albion Park. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
Work is underway on a six-week essential road safety upgrade along Terry Street in Albion Park, after numerous recorded traffic accidents in recent years and a rise in population.
Terry Street is a key connecting road between Jamberoo and Albion Park, with incidents particularly concentrated between Wiley Street and Simpson Parade.
Undertaken by Shellharbour City Council, the project is part of a commitment to safer, more accessible roads.
Mayor Chris Homer said along with crashes, the area was also subject to high pedestrian demand to cross the street in that area, prompting the need for the targeted safety measures.
“Improving road safety is one of our top priorities, and these upgrades to Terry Street will make a real difference for drivers, pedestrians and local businesses,” Cr Homer said.
“Albion Park is a growing community, and Shellharbour City Council is committed to ensuring our roads are safe for our residents.”
Developed in consultation with the community, the project has gone through multiple stages of feedback to help shape the design.
More than 100 contributions were received, with residents and business owners playing a key role.
“We listened to the community and are proud to be delivering improvements that are shaped by their feedback,” he said.
Key improvements include installation of a roundabout at the T-intersection of Terry Street and Hughes Drive, and implementation of one-way traffic flow within the shopping carpark.
Works will also include a raised pedestrian crossing at Wiley Street, constructing new infrastructure to be disability compliant, shared use path links to each of the upgraded crossing points, implementing left turn only on some side roads, and relocating the existing bus shelter.
Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson said the upgrades were funded through the NSW Government’s Towards Zero Safer Roads Program, which supported infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing road trauma across the state.
“This investment through the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program will go a long way to ensure everyone gets home safely every time to their loved ones,” Ms Watson said.
“The NSW Government is proud to be supporting Shellharbour City Council by investing in projects that help make our local roads safer.
“Sadly two thirds of deaths on NSW roads happen on regional roads but projects that improve the existing road network, such as at Terry Street in Shellharbour, are critical in helping deliver sustainable long-term reductions in road trauma.”
Works on Terry Street will be completed in one stage and within six weeks, weather permitting, with traffic control in place to minimise disruption and ensure safe access for motorists and pedestrians.
Meanwhile, early works are underway on another road project, Tripoli Way Extension, to connect Terry Street in the east to Broughton Avenue in the west, to allow commuters to bypass the Albion Park town centre, with main works expected to start this year.
Full scope for the bypass was unlocked in August, when the NSW Government provided $20 million in funding to ensure the Terry Street intersection upgrade would be delivered as part of the $74 million project.
Learn more about the Terry Street safety upgrades project.
