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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

F3 widening managed from Woy Woy

 

The widening of the F3 freeway will be managed from the new Central Coast roads and transport office located at Woy Woy, according to the Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews.

Speaking recently in the NSW Parliament, Ms Andrews, said the environmental assessment plan of the F3 widening was on display at the new office.

The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) covered a wide range of environmental and planning issues, including water quality, noise, vibration, flora, fauna and heritage.

The widening of the F3 to six lanes from the Hawkesbury River to the Calga interchange would be achieved by constructing an additional lane in the existing median in both directions, she said.

While construction was under way, disruptions for motorists would be minimised by shifting traffic onto the existing road shoulder.

Upon completion of the widening, the 110kph speed limit would return to some of the route south of the Mt White interchange.

The 90kph speed zone was then expected to be only five kilometres in length.

The planning and design works for the widening of the F3 were well advanced, said Ms Andrews.

Preliminary work ahead of major construction had already started on rock-cutting stabilisation work on the freeway between Mt White and the Calga interchange.

Ms Andrews said: "It is expected that tenders for the construction of the additional lanes will be called in the first half of next year.

"A contract for the project is expected to be awarded in mid-2002, with work to commence soon after.

"I congratulate the Minister, Mr Carl Scully, for acknowledging the importance of the Central Coast region through the establishment of the roads and transport headquarters at Woy Woy.

"I look forward to vast improvements to roads and associated transport infrastructure within the Peats electorate emanating from that office."

The Woy Woy roads and transport office will provide employment for up to 30 people, 19 of whom will be in new positions.

It was recognition by the Carr Government that the Central Coast remained one of the fastest growing regions in New South Wales, she said.

Press release, December 6