Early work begins on Kooragang Island road duplication

Early works are now under way for the $103 million duplication of Tourle Street and Cormorant Road at Kooragang Island in New South Wales.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said in a statement that the Australian and NSW governments have each committed more than $51 million to the project to improve traffic flow and cater for future growth.

“Tourle Street and Cormorant Road form the main corridor connecting Kooragang Island to Newcastle and the southern section of the Port of Newcastle. Approximately 33,000 vehicles, including more than 3000 heavy vehicles, use this road daily as the main corridor connecting Newcastle with Newcastle Airport and Port Stephens,” he said.

“This vital upgrade will improve traffic flow and cater for a forecast increase in traffic due to future urban development in Port Stephens, the expansion of Newcastle Airport and growth of industrial development on Kooragang Island.

“Starting early work, before tenders are invited for major work, will ensure the successful tenderer can start work as soon as possible.”

Early work will include building road embankments at the southern end of the Tourle Street Bridge and in the Long Pod area on the northern side of Cormorant Road. The embankments will allow soft soil to settle and help prepare the ground to support the future road.

The work also includes building an underground barrier to prevent movement of old steelwork and adjustments to Telstra services on Tourle Street and Ausgrid overhead power lines on Cormorant Road.

Tender documentation is being prepared for tenders for major work to be called later in the year.