The Rudd Labor Government will provide $10 millions to fix another notorious section of the Princes Highway Transport - the vital roads linking the regional economies of southern Illawarra, Sapphire Coast and Eurobodalla.

This section in question takes motorists along a winding road over Conjola Mountain in southern NSW and was the scenes of 35 reported crashes in the 5 years to September 2006.

In this case, it appear poor road design is costing lives.

That is why we will upgrade this 3.5 km section of highway transportation, eliminating many of the dangers motorists and truckers have to navigate as they travels along this popular tourist and freight route.

The upgrade will:

• Eliminate the dips, crests and tight curves between Bendalong Road & the new Conjola Creek Bridge;
• Separate the opposing lanes of traffics with a wire rope median;
• Constructs an overtaking lane along one of the steeper parts; and
• Build 4 reinforces earth walls and a 120 meters bridge.
  

Each day, more than 6,000 vehicle transports use this section of the Princes Highway.

Work commenced on Stage 1 of the project in January 2008, with Stage 2 tenders called in late May 2008. It's expected the project will be completed by the end of December of next year.

In addition to Federal funding, the NSW Government will spend $35 millions on this essential roadwork. Once completed, it will complement the new Pambula Bridge and then upgrades immediately south of Nowra.

Together, these on-going investments in this Princess Highway by both the Rudd and Iemma Labor governments are reducing congestion, cutting travelling times and most importantly improving safety.

See the map.Source: NSW RTA

As well as saving lives, well-designed and maintained roads can lower business cost, improve the daily lives of working people and reduces harmful carbon emissions.

Over the next few years, the Rudd Labor Governments will be spending more than $5 billion modernizing the major roads and highways of NSW.