AN invitation has been extended to the public to have their say on a proposed concept design for a shared path bridge across Mount Ousley Road.

The proposed design, now available to view online, would provide safer and more accessible connections for people walking and cycling between the University of Wollongong and TAFE precincts and suburbs to the north while maintaining critical access to Port Kembla for over height vehicles.

NSW Minister for the Illawarra, Ryan Park has thanked the community groups, residents and other stakeholders who he says have been instrumental in the development of the proposed design.

“The local insight into issues and other considerations for the design of the bridge and surrounding connections has been invaluable and has led to a well-thought-out proposal for the broader community to provide feedback on,” Mr Park said.

Key features of the concept design include:

• a new accessible four-metre-wide shared path for pedestrians and cyclists that incorporates a bridge over Mount Ousley Road adjacent to McMahon Street
• connections from the southern side of Mount Ousley Road to other planned shared paths across the M1 Princes Motorway and towards Wollongong TAFE
• a designated, accessible, raised pedestrian crossing at Dumfries Avenue, about 120 metres west of McMahon Street
• a 130-metre-long shared path along the southern side of Dumfries Avenue, connecting the new bridge to the new pedestrian crossing
• traffic calming measures along Dumfries Avenue to the east and west of the crossing to provide for a safer road environment for active transport users, residents and motorists
• stairs, with a wheeling channel for cyclists to more easily move bikes up and down the stairs, helping to provide access to the north and east
• landscaping and revegetation, along with urban design treatments.

Transport for NSW has worked with Wollongong City Council, community groups and other stakeholders to develop the proposed concept design.

Key considerations, raised during early consultation and considered during the development of the concept design, include improving safety, accessibility and use of the crossing for pedestrians and cyclists, sustainability and minimising environmental impacts including tree and vegetation clearing, and ensuring the bridge can be safely and efficiently built and maintained.

Transport for NSW is inviting community members to provide their feedback before Friday 2 May by visiting transport.nsw.gov.au/mtousleyrdbridge

Community members are also invited to attend a drop-in session at Bass Park on Dumfries Avenue, Mount Ousley on Thursday 10 April from 3pm to 6pm to discuss the bridge design and ask Transport for NSW questions about the project.

All community feedback will be considered as Transport finalises the concept design.

Federal Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes said the construction of the $390 million Mount Ousley Interchange, funded by the Australian and NSW governments, is now well underway.

“We know a shared path bridge over Mount Ousley Road is important to the community and I’ve worked hard with Minister Park, Minister Scully and Transport for NSW to develop a preliminary design that improves active transport connections through the area while maintaining critical access to Port Kembla for over height vehicles,” she said.

Following the consultation period, Transport will share a summary of feedback received with the community. Transport will keep the community and stakeholders informed as the project progresses. 

More information on the shared path bridge is available at transport.nsw.gov.au/mtousleyrdbridge

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