Peninsula Community Access Edition 362
News Phone 4325 7369 Fax 4321 0940
23 February 2015
Minister for Roads and Freight Mr Duncan Gay and Gosford Council mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna at the official opening of the pedestrian underpass at the Rawson Rd level crossing
Rail underpass second stage funded, but not third The State Government has committed an extra $7 million to allow the completion of the second stage of the Woy Woy Rd railway underpass project to be completed. However, the Government appears to have abandoned any commitment to funding the third stage of the project – the realignment of Woy Woy Rd through the Bays area, now describing the project as a twostage project. The commitment was announced at the opening on Thursday, February 12, of a pedestrian underpass at the Rawson Rd level crossing, which cost $6.2 milllion alone. At the opening, Minister for Roads and Freight Mr Duncan Gay
said the project would eventually close the existing level crossing at Rawson Rd. “Gosford Council has completed stage one work, which included providing a new pedestrian and cyclist underpass alongside Rawson Rd and below the railway tracks,” Minister Gay said. “Pedestrian access to the underpass has also been upgraded along Waterview and Railway Sts. “The NSW Government provided funding for the work as part of the $45 million commitment to build an underpass to replace the Woy Woy rail level crossing. “But we have committed an additional $7 million to fulfil our commitment to remove the existing crossing and replace it with a safer option. “That is a total of $52 million
to deliver the two stages the community has been waiting for,” Minister Gay said. Mr Holstein said the completion of stage two work would enable the full closure of the Rawson Rd level crossing. “Stage two work involves upgrading and extending Railway St and Nagari Rd and a new vehicle underpass and bridge over Woy Woy Creek at Bulls Hill,” Mr Holstein said. “Four years ago I stood here and said the NSW Government was committed to this project and I am so proud to see stage one completed. “For too long our community was neglected under former governments and I am so proud the NSW Government is listening and delivering what our community
expects and deserves.” Mr Holstein said that the Government had not committed to stage three because stage two would not be started until the West Gosford intersection had been completed. “We can’t really commence major works there until we’ve got West Gosford well in control and a lot of the burden has eased there. “We wouldn’t want to have both major roads leading into the Peninsula clogged with road works. “I will be pushing for stage three funding nearing completion of stage two,” he said. “Even when Minister Gay was up the other day making this announcement, he knows that I’m going to be looking for the next stage as this progresses.”
Gosford Council’s director of Construction and Operations Mr Stan Antczak said local artists had been invited to carry out an art installation within the tunnel and access ramps with a focus on ‘names’ and their connection to people and places of the Peninsula. “The first phase of the art installation is expected to be completed mid next month with phase two due for completion in March next year,” Mr Antczak said. Media release, 12 Feb 2015 Siobhan McCarthy, Office of Duncan Gay MP Media statement, 20 Feb 2015 Chris Holstein, Member for Gosford
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