Work is set to begin on the upgrade of the Tumbi Rd/Central Coat Hwy intersection, with changed traffic conditions between Wamberal and Bateau Bay for the next couple of months.
From Monday, February 12, overnight preparation work will start on the Central Coast Hwy for about 250 metres from the Wamberal Fruit Shop to just north of the Pacific Gardens Hotel.
Work will be carried out from 6pm to 5am, weather permitting, and includes survey, clearing vegetation, utilities investigations, minor earthworks, new line marking, installing temporary pavement, drainage and placement of barriers.
Once the barriers are in place, day work including drainage, – and vegetation work will be carried out from 7am to 5pm Monday to Saturday with preliminary work expected to be completed by April.
Traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will be in place during work hours for the safety of workers and motorists.
Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.
A Transport for NSW (TfNSW) said last year spokesperson that the Federal and State Governments had committed $64M to fast-track work on the upgrade, which is designed to improve traffic flow and safety at the busy intersection.
This followed a community consultation period in 2021 which attracted 35 submissions.
The upgrade will replace the existing roundabout with traffic lights and widen the Central Coast Hwy north of the intersection to two lanes in each direction.
Other key features of the proposal include: providing two right turn lanes out of Tumbi Road onto the highway southbound; relocating two existing bus stops to a common location northbound on the Central Coast Hwy just north of the intersection; upgrading the existing large culvert under the highway north of the intersection including a new pipe crossing, to improve stormwater drainage; providing a U-turn bay in front of Pacific Garden Hotel for southbound traffic; providing a new parking and loading facility to the Wamberal Grocer and Fruit Market (subject to landowner agreement); installing retaining walls and landscaped batter slopes to prevent impacts on Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve; and relocation and adjustment of existing utilities including water, sewerage, electricity, gas and telecommunications.
“It will improve public transport amenities and access, as well providing better walking and cycling connections with new and upgraded footpaths and shared paths,” the spokesperson said.
“This upgrade will boost economic growth and productivity in the region by cutting queuing and reducing delays at the intersection, resulting in better traffic flow.”
The upgrade is expected to take about two years to complete.
Terry Collins