Wongawilli Access Project

Wongawilli Road

Construction of the new driveways for the RFS station and the community hall is well underway. All the kerb and gutter on the western end of Wongawilli Road has now been completed. Crews will soon begin work on the swale. The swale is designed to collect stormwater runoff and allow it to seep into the soil. We’ll also construct the earth bund wall to divert stormwater towards drainage pits and the swale.

West Dapto Road

A preferred contractor has been decided to undertake the first package of work. The contractor will be setting up and preparing the site mid to late September 2022.

The following photos are of the work that has been undertaken on the western end of Wongawilli Road.

Wongawilli Road

Work is continuing on the western end of Wongawilli Road. Crews have completed the kerb and gutter on one side and are now working on the other side.

Construction will soon begin on the “earth bund wall” that is designed to divert stormwater towards drainage pits. Council is working with the RFS and the Community Hall to coordinate access to their buildings to undertake the work

West Dapto Road

Work to relocate two watermains has been completed. Currently Council is waiting for approval from Sydney Water to finalise their connection into the water system

Tenders have been received for the first part of work to upgrade West Dapto Road and a preferred contractor identified.

With wet weather being a dominant feature, construction has continued on the Wongawilli Road project. Depending on conditions we are estimating to complete the project at the end of October 2022.

Current work includes:

• Western end - The construction crew are currently building the end of Wongawilli Road.
• Swale - Once completed the crew will then excavate a swale to manage drainage of stormwater in major rain events. They will also build an “earth bund wall” that is designed to divert stormwater towards drainage pits.Example of a lintel
• Kerb & gutter - After these major drainage works are completed, kerb and gutter and driveways will be constructed, and drainage pits and lintels will be installed. Lintels are made from concrete and used as an inlet to a roadside kerb stormwater pit. Headwalls will also be installed and the creek banks will be reinforced.
• Asphalt - To finish, a smooth asphalt surface will be rolled onto stabilised road base.
• Turf - Landscaping will include turfing the whole area and the site will be given a final clean-up.

During these works, entry to the RFS station and the community hall should not be affected. If for some reason they are, Council and the RFS will be contacted.

From Monday 21 March to Wednesday 23 March, we’ll be undertaking night works at the intersection of Shone Avenue, West Dapto Road and Wongawilli Road between 9pm and 5am.

This project is part of a larger piece of work already underway to relocate the existing water mains beneath Shone Avenue.

We’ve scheduled this element of the project to be completed at night to help reduce the impact to our residents and those using the road and to improve the safety for construction workers. This means that during construction between 9pm to 5am, traffic will be diverted along an alternative route along either West Dapto and Darkes Road, or Bong Bong Road due to full closure of Shone Avenue at the intersection of West Dapto Road and Wongawilli Road.

Works to install the new pipework are anticipated to finish by 5am, Wednesday 23 March, pending weather conditions.

“Council has a long-term vision for access to and from West Dapto that we are working to implement with minimal disruption. Our aim is to develop a network of roads and active transport links that will form an integrated and connected community,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“All of our completed and upcoming upgrades, including the completion of the Karrara Bridge in 2020, will help work towards our plan to meet the changing needs of current and future residents of West Dapto.

“While we’re onsite this week to complete this part of the project, we ask that all drivers continue to follow the road rules and planning ahead if you plan to travel during this area this week. We ask that all road users, including emergency services, use the alternate routes offered during the short construction period.”

The weather has been a persistent factor for crews working throughout the Wollongong region including Wongawilli Road. However, progress continues. This month Council crews have constructed almost all the traffic blisters along Wongawilli Road. There are three left complete.

After these are completed, we can move on to finishing storm water drainage work and measures to direct water flow during extreme weather events at the western end. Then the final piece of Kerb and gutter connecting new driveways will be completed.

At the eastern end, Cadifern is lowering the water main and finishing off stormwater inlets and outlets to make way for the upgrade of Shone Avenue.

Please ensure you take care passing through the construction area and consider traffic management measures that may need to be put in place.

Since the completion of the final asphalt seal we have been able to undertake work on other parts of the project:

• Staff have completed the northern side concrete shared path construction from Smiths Lane to Shone Avenue
• Line marking was completed on Wednesday 8 December as a priority for the safety of motorists and road users. The concrete shared path line marking is to follow
• Turf and spray grass to the northern concrete shared path has been completed
• Pedestrian access paths and ramps at the Smiths Lane intersection are nearing completion now that Telstra has finalised the adjustment of their Pits to meet the new footpath levels.
• Street tree planting has continued along Wongawilli Road, with more to come in the new year
• Tiger tails are scheduled to be removed by Endeavour Energy on Thursday 16 December

On Wednesday 22 December, staff will vacate the site for the Christmas shutdown. The remaining time leading into the Christmas break will be used to complete minor tasks such as sign installation, repairs to minor defects, site refurbishment and rehabilitation.

Staff will return in the new year to commence the construction of traffic islands between Shone Avenue and Smiths Lane.

This will wrap things up for the year. Thank you again for your cooperation and patience through this extensive work and have a wonderful holiday

The entire work crew and Council team would like to extend a big thank you to all the residents in Wongawilli for their cooperation and patience during the reconstruction of Wongawilli Road. We are impressed and very appreciative of how residents have handled the changed traffic and parking conditions over this time.

The final Asphalt sealing of Wongawilli Road between Shone Avenue and Smiths Lane was completed on Saturday 13 November.

Now the final seal is completed, it will need up to two weeks to cure before line marking of all travel lanes and parking lanes can take place.

Work taking place:

• Council staff have started formalising the Smiths Lane intersection pedestrian access with construction of a concrete shared path and pedestrian ramp
• Staff will also continue the construction of the concrete shared path on the east bound kerb side
• Street tree planting will commence next week for property owners, with further landscaping to take place as the concrete shared path progresses

Please note:

• Traffic control will be in place to enable the safe construction of the shared path on the east bound kerb side

Road reconstruction is now well underway with many sections of the project being completed or nearing completion.

The site is still under traffic control with major construction continuing. We would like to ask that you please make sure that you drive to the conditions.

• Smiths Lane intersection will be closed and under detours until asphalt is laid Monday 15 November.

We would also like to reassure you that our staff onsite are very approachable and are more than happy to manage any requests that you may have.

Newly completed work:

• The West bound parking and travel lanes initial asphalt layer completed. (see photo)

This is now two lanes – two way travel for motorists at Wongawilli Road is available while the east bound lanes are under construction.

Nearing completion:

• The final asphalt on the entire Wongawilli Road pavement, Shone Avenue to Smiths Lane, is booked for Monday 15 November, weather permitting.
• Retaining walls are nearing completion with minor general works to be finalised over the next two weeks.

In Planning:

• Street trees have been sourced and are on order with planting scheduled for mid to late November.
• Line marking is scheduled for late November - once asphalt has cured.
• Council staff will commence shared path concrete construction from smiths Lane to Shone Avenue once all asphalt has been completed in Mid-November.

The significant volume of work continues along Wongawilli Road with multiple Council and Contractor crews on site.

Part of this work is the reconstruction of the travel lanes along Wongawilli Road. We would like to let you know that in the short term we are unable to provide two way vehicle movements at all times while this work is being undertaken.

These conditions will continue over the weekend and into early next week when on Wednesday, we will asphalt the two south side lanes and open them back up to two way traffic.

Working closely with Traffic Logistics we are managing vehicle movements through the area with signage and traffic control during and after business hours.

We will continue to monitor progress and make changes if needed.

Please make sure that you drive to the conditions. Remember that the area is under traffic control and you are passing through major construction.

We would also like to reassure that our staff onsite are very approachable and are more than happy to manage any requests that you may have.

The significant volume of work continues along Wongawilli Road with multiple Council and Contractor crews on site.

Please make sure that you drive to the conditions. Remember that the area is under traffic control and you are passing through major construction.

Newly completed work:

• All stormwater pipes have now been installed in Wongawilli Road.
• The northern side concrete kerb & gutter has been poured (see attached photo)
• Stormwater pits and lintels completed on the newly poured kerb & gutter

Under construction:

• Smiths Lane intersection is under construction with kerb and gutter to be completed by the end of the week
• Block retaining walls are underway and will be completed by the Mid October
• Road and pavement reconstruction will commence at the southern kerbside lane Monday 11 October. No on street parking will be available to motorists while this is underway. Access to properties will be restricted and the site will continue to be under traffic control conditions.

In planning:

• Street trees are currently being sourced for the remainder of landscaping at property frontages
• The section of line marking from Smiths Lane to Bankbook Drive is scheduled in for mid-October.

Please remember:

• Road and pavement reconstruction on the southern kerbside lane will prevent any on street parking and restrict access to properties while this work is underway
• The site will continue to be under traffic control conditions and motorists are asked to drive to conditions.
• Property owners are reminded to park vehicles off the street and out of the construction zones where possible.