Satellite Image Prior to Construction
Roads and Maritime Data
Negative impacts
The Roads and Maritime services NSW (RMS) has identified an array of negative impacts in regards to the Gerringong Highway upgrade. Such impacts include Socio-economic, visual, noise pollution, light pollution, air pollution, loss of flora and fauna, acquisition, travel time and road safety impacts. These impacts are affecting the local community and surrounding environment.
The highway upgrade is projected to bypass Gerringong to shorten commute and travel time. This bypass will reduce traffic flow along Fern St, however it will conflict with local business, a reduction in traffic may result in a reduction in the tourism industry and customers within the retail industry. During the construction of the Hwy the landscape will undergo major changes in regards to the construction of infrastructure and excavation of land . The construction of bridges and excavation of hills in order to create a smooth accessible Hwy, will affect the natural landscape and contours of existing land and also affect property views(see figure 1.2).
During the construction of the upgrade the machinery involved in building and excavating will create noise pollution, as well as the subsequent vehicular traffic flow during construction and completion. In conjunction with noise pollution the upgrade will increase air pollution in the rural Gerringong area. Heavy machinery combined with increased traffic flow, dust from excavation and gases released from concreting will have negative impacts toward air quality in the local area. In order to combat the potential pollution issues the construction hours have been restricted between 7:00am-6:00pm weekdays and 8:00am-1:00pm Saturdays, however on rare occasions night work is required. During such nigh construction light pollution may be created and affect residents within the vicinity of construction sites.
Along with pollution, the expanding, and widening of the Hwy will result in the demolition of local flora and farmland, in order to vacate land for construction. This will impact on fauna and livestock in the Gerringong area. As with deconstruction of fauna in order to obtain more land, the acquisition of private property is also required for construction. This will have major impacts toward local residents and businesses, with the physical, mental and economical repercussions of relocation. Throughout construction road capacity and reduction of speed to 60km/h will result in the increase of commute and travel times. However upon completion travel times are expected to be reduced dramatically. Prior to construction the old Hwy’s safety was questionable with dangerous intersections, corners and concealed driveways. Within construction driver safety is of the upmost importance, however this comes at the price of reduction in speed and driveway accessibility.
The highway upgrade is projected to bypass Gerringong to shorten commute and travel time. This bypass will reduce traffic flow along Fern St, however it will conflict with local business, a reduction in traffic may result in a reduction in the tourism industry and customers within the retail industry. During the construction of the Hwy the landscape will undergo major changes in regards to the construction of infrastructure and excavation of land . The construction of bridges and excavation of hills in order to create a smooth accessible Hwy, will affect the natural landscape and contours of existing land and also affect property views(see figure 1.2).
During the construction of the upgrade the machinery involved in building and excavating will create noise pollution, as well as the subsequent vehicular traffic flow during construction and completion. In conjunction with noise pollution the upgrade will increase air pollution in the rural Gerringong area. Heavy machinery combined with increased traffic flow, dust from excavation and gases released from concreting will have negative impacts toward air quality in the local area. In order to combat the potential pollution issues the construction hours have been restricted between 7:00am-6:00pm weekdays and 8:00am-1:00pm Saturdays, however on rare occasions night work is required. During such nigh construction light pollution may be created and affect residents within the vicinity of construction sites.
Along with pollution, the expanding, and widening of the Hwy will result in the demolition of local flora and farmland, in order to vacate land for construction. This will impact on fauna and livestock in the Gerringong area. As with deconstruction of fauna in order to obtain more land, the acquisition of private property is also required for construction. This will have major impacts toward local residents and businesses, with the physical, mental and economical repercussions of relocation. Throughout construction road capacity and reduction of speed to 60km/h will result in the increase of commute and travel times. However upon completion travel times are expected to be reduced dramatically. Prior to construction the old Hwy’s safety was questionable with dangerous intersections, corners and concealed driveways. Within construction driver safety is of the upmost importance, however this comes at the price of reduction in speed and driveway accessibility.
Positive impacts
The Gerringong Hwy upgrade has positive and negative impacts that affect both the local, and wider community. Although during construction the negative issues are the most prominent, the present and projected positive aspects are determined to outweigh the negatives by the RMS. Such positive impacts include improvements to road safety, providing adequate access to Gerringong, flood protection, improved traffic efficiency, supporting local development, generating local employment opportunities, and creating a sustainable, value for money asset to the local community.
The new Hwy upgrade will feature, modern engineering and design allowing for a safer motoring experience. The reduction of corners and addition of 7.5km (upgrade length) of 2 and 3 lane express way style overtaking lanes in each direction will dramatically improve travel times and motorists safety. The elimination of intersections and addition of two interchanges will provide a safe alternative in the access of Gerringong and surrounding country side. These interchanges will withhold large amounts of traffic, promote efficiency and reduce traffic density in a safer environment. The removal of the level rail road crossing will also positively impact on motorist safety and travel times. The elevated road base and bridge networks will offer subsequent protection against flooding, and serve as an underpass for livestock and farming machinery, this will improve safety for both the local agricultural industry and motorists in the case of extreme weather events.
The new Hwy will support local development, industry and create employment. The construction of the Hwy offers an array of employment opportunities in construction, engineering and excavation. Such a project is a short term source of mass employment, upon which will aid the development of the local area (see figure 1.2). The added road safety features and interchanges will assist in the development pf local agriculture and retail businesses. Such a development will see Gerringong as a desirable location in terms of vicinity, transportation and accessibility. This will promote local businesses in a positive fashion. The safety features and accessibility to farming areas will improve the agricultural industry from the perspective involving the transportation of goods, machinery and livestock.
The Hwy is a permanent asset to the local community, it will provide sustainable, congestion free traffic efficiency in the future. In terms of construction and completion the Hwy is able to serve the Gerringong community in a variety of ways, rendering it a positive impact toward the local community.
The new Hwy upgrade will feature, modern engineering and design allowing for a safer motoring experience. The reduction of corners and addition of 7.5km (upgrade length) of 2 and 3 lane express way style overtaking lanes in each direction will dramatically improve travel times and motorists safety. The elimination of intersections and addition of two interchanges will provide a safe alternative in the access of Gerringong and surrounding country side. These interchanges will withhold large amounts of traffic, promote efficiency and reduce traffic density in a safer environment. The removal of the level rail road crossing will also positively impact on motorist safety and travel times. The elevated road base and bridge networks will offer subsequent protection against flooding, and serve as an underpass for livestock and farming machinery, this will improve safety for both the local agricultural industry and motorists in the case of extreme weather events.
The new Hwy will support local development, industry and create employment. The construction of the Hwy offers an array of employment opportunities in construction, engineering and excavation. Such a project is a short term source of mass employment, upon which will aid the development of the local area (see figure 1.2). The added road safety features and interchanges will assist in the development pf local agriculture and retail businesses. Such a development will see Gerringong as a desirable location in terms of vicinity, transportation and accessibility. This will promote local businesses in a positive fashion. The safety features and accessibility to farming areas will improve the agricultural industry from the perspective involving the transportation of goods, machinery and livestock.
The Hwy is a permanent asset to the local community, it will provide sustainable, congestion free traffic efficiency in the future. In terms of construction and completion the Hwy is able to serve the Gerringong community in a variety of ways, rendering it a positive impact toward the local community.