LAST week work started on the much-anticipated upgrade and widening of the shared pathway along Trinity Row between Sandon and Waniora Points at Bulli.

Over the coming months Wollongong City Council will replace the ageing, narrow and cracked asphalt pathway with a new four-metre-wide concrete shared pathway along the beach-front.

Stage One of the project will include the construction of a wider-than-average path, which will connect up to the existing shared path opposite the Park Road/Trinity Row intersection and extend south to the car park entrance opposite Godolphin Street. Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said later construction stages will be programmed pending environmental approvals.

“This is such a popular area year-round with people out walking, riding, scootering and running along the existing shared pathway. In fact, our permanent counter near Slacky Creek Bridge showed more than 630,000 people walked, ran or rode along this shared path in the past year, Cr Bradbery said.

“We’ve heard feedback from our community who wanted us to widen the pathway to reduce interactions between pedestrians and cyclists, and to allow more room for all users. We’ve responded to that with this exciting upgrade and I’m looking forward to seeing this stage of the project finished in time for the busy summer months when this area becomes a hive of activity with people embracing the enviable lifestyle our city offers.”

In addition to the upgraded shared pathway, Council will also be installing safety fencing along a portion of the pathway where it runs closer to the beach embankment between Alroy and Jardine Streets. The shared path will also be lowered near Ursula Road to provide an overflow path for large storm events and to reduce the risk of localised flooding in the area.

“The introduction of fencing in this area will be minimal as it will be limited to areas with increased safety risk with the new, wider shared pathway,” Cr Bradbery said.

“We’ve been mindful in designing the fence in keeping with the beach aesthetic so that it blends into the local environment. It’s a protective barrier that will be in place to reduce the risk of a mobility scooter driver or cyclist going over the armour wall on the section of the path that is now closer to the beach.

“We’ve been working for some time to carry out improvements in this popular area. We have already widened the shared pathway up at Sandon Point, and installed a new playground at Bulli Beach. This is the next phase in this long-term project to support people to really enjoy this beautiful beachside spot.

“There will be some disruption as the teams work to widen the pathway, but they’re doing it in a phased way to minimise impact on the local community.”

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