Options For Berry Bypass Under Review

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday April 8, 2008

By ALEX ARNOLD

NSW Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal has ordered an independent review of how the seven route options for the Gerringong-to-Bomaderry Princes Hwy upgrade were selected.

The review comes in response to community concerns that none of the options includes a southern bypass of Berry.

The review by consultants Connell Wagner is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

"The role of these consultants is to confirm whether the process used to determine the short list was valid and conducted appropriately," an RTA spokesperson said.

"The review will look at the work done to date and will not involve new field investigations."

The seven options, which range in cost from $750 million to $880 million, feature two possible routes for the Berry bypass, both to the north of the town.

The RTA and project consultants Maunsell received more than 800 submissions during the public consultation period.

Kiama Municipal Council's submission supported the "green" option, which follows the existing highway to Toolijooa Rd, putting it at odds with neighbouring Shoalhaven City Council which backed the option that follows the railway south of Gerringong through Toolijooa.

Shoalhaven City Council also lobbied for a southern bypass of Berry to be included among the options.

Member for Kiama Matt Brown said a peer review was not common, but a number of people had questioned the process and the review was in response to those concerns. He said the bulk of concerns had come from Berry but he was confident the work of the RTA and Maunsell so far was "world's best practice".

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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