November 30, 2020

Mount Ousley interchange planning funding welcomed

Vital infrastructure to improve safety and access for students and staff

The University of Wollongong (UOW) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings CBE, has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of a $21 million funding injection for the Mount Ousley Interchange project.

The funding, jointly announced today (Monday, 30 November 2020) by Minister for Transport and Roads, Andrew Constance, and Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, will enable detailed planning, environmental assessments and property acquisition.

It comes several months after UOW supported the Illawarra Business Chamber’s appeals to government on behalf of the region for continued progress on the much-needed project.

The interchange, which replaces the existing intersection of Mount Ousley Road and the Princes Highway at the base of the mountain pass, will not only improve safety and access for students and staff, but deliver safety, cost and time savings for all road users, contributing to a total economic benefit estimated at $46 million annually.

“The University is very pleased to welcome this commitment to progressing this long-sought after infrastructure.

“UOW was pleased to contribute to the concept design community consultation and we’re ready to work with the NSW Government and other local community stakeholders on the detailed design phase.

“We look forward to working together to make this vital infrastructure a reality, and to seeing the resulting benefits in safety and access for university students, staff and the wider community,” Professor Wellings said.

A critical feature of the project for UOW is the additional exit from the freeway which will connect with a new northern entrance to UOW’s Wollongong Campus, avoiding long and dangerous queues forming at the existing University Avenue exit.

Also welcomed is improved access for pedestrians and cyclists, which accords with the University’s ongoing encouragement of active transport in lieu of private car usage as much as possible.

Mount Ousley interchange concept illustration. (Source: Transport for NSW)