Old South Road, Between Merrigang Street & Old Hume Highway

  • Project typeCapital Project with External Funding
  • Contractor nameStefanutti Construction
  • Completion Date31 May 2024
Old-South-Road-Bowral

Latest update here

Updates:

Council awarded the Old South Road Rehabilitation contract to Stefanutti Construction in October 2022. The project consists of full pavement reconstruction and ancillary works of Old South Road between the Southern Highlands localities of Bowral and Alpine. The works were to be constructed in accordance with design completed by third party consultant Maker.

Stages 1 and 2 were opened to traffic on 22 December 2023. A further Stage 3 of the project, renewal of the road northwards of Aylmerton Road, is currently under construction and forecast for completion by the end of May 2024.

The southernmost 1.3 kilometres of Stage 1 that was sealed 18-19 December 2023, deteriorated soon after opening. Council commenced investigations immediately while the Contractor undertook short term measures to minimise commuter risks whilst travelling on this failed section of the road.

A meeting between Council and the Contractor was held on 20 February 2024 to resolve the timing and extent of the remediation works. The methodology for rectifying the failed section consisted of additional stabilisation and resealing between Range Road and Merrigang Street. The remediation works commenced on 28 February 2024 under full road closure.

Stage 1 of the Old South Road upgrade project between Range Road and Merrigang Street has reopened 20 March 2024, in exactly three weeks as planned. Line marking will be finalised in approximately two weeks, weather permitting. Road users are advised to continue to exercise caution, adhere to the altered traffic conditions, and proceed with extra care while traveling on this section of Old South Road. 

Background

Old South Road is a local distributor road that connects the Old Hume Highway to residential areas east of Mittagong and Bowral town centres. The road crosses the range between Mittagong and Bowral and has significant grades on each side of Range Road. As traffic volumes have grown across the Shire so too has traffic movement increased along Old South Road.

Old South Road is a two-lane road with a flush seal and has minimal to no shoulder areas. The road between Merrigang Street and Bong Bong Road is subject to frost in winter months. Old South Road has a 10 tonne load limit and a posted speed limit of 80 km/h. The roundabout at the intersection of Old South Road and Range Road has lighting which was installed as per standard requirements. For the most part no other lighting is provided between Merrigang Street and Aylmerton Road.

The road presents as a rural road with large private holdings along its length. High voltage transmission poles are located on both sides of Old South Road between Merrigang Street and approximately 1.1 km north-east of the Range Road roundabout. There are numerous trees at various locations and power poles also in the clear zone.

Concerns

Old South Road has average pavement over its length which presents an uneven ride surface over numerous sections. The area is subject to heavy frosts and fog during winter months with grass in multiple locations encroaching the edge of pavement. The condition of the pavement compounded with the potential for heavy frosts increased the risk of traffic incidents.

The steep grades associated with moderate curve radii, trees and poles in the clear zone, increased traffic volumes and existing pavement condition raises concern for increased vehicular run-off. This trend is not likely to change given the significant land releases being currently developed in Moss Vale and Mittagong.

The pavement along sections of Old South Road is now becoming dilapidated beyond repair. Heavy maintenance patching is regularly required and, apart from proving uneconomical, it presents additional safety concerns on what is already a narrow and undulating road. Complete reconstruction and suitable subgrade treatment is considered the only solution.

Project funding

The project is funded through a combination of Federal and State government grants and Wingecarribee Shire Council contributions. Funding has been secured from the Safer Roads Program, Fixing Local Roads Program and Local Roads & Community Infrastructure Program.

Construction

The Construction phase of the Old South Road Rehabilitation project commenced in January 2023.

To reduce inconvenience to local business owners and residents, construction focused on the Northern end initially, with local resident access maintained throughout the works.

Stage 1 and 2 works commenced on the 9.7 km stretch of road between Merrigang Street and Range Road in January 2023, with this section of the road temporarily closed during construction, and reopened in December 2023. Stage 3 works have commenced between Aylmerton Road Mittagong and Old Hume Highway, in January 2024.

This is an extremely important project given the substantial Council resources that have been used to maintain this vital thoroughfare, with regular pot hole rectifications required. Many commuters use Old South Road to navigate between Mittagong, Bowral, and Moss Vale, with traffic levels of more than 6,000 vehicles per day travelling on Old South Road to avoid traffic in congested towns.

Prior to the current rehabilitation project, Old South Road was in a poor condition as it was never designed for this volume of traffic. The rehabilitation will provide a completely reconstructed road with additional safety improvements including rectification of the vertical and horizontal alignments, road widening, audio tactile line marking, and guard rails.

Links to overviews of the design and the review of environmental factors prepared for the works are provided below.

Video: Old South Road Rehabilitation

The footage below was captured on behalf of Wingecarribee Shire Council and Transport for NSW by Bowral video producer and drone operator Darren Powell of Shot to Pieces using state-of-the-art handheld and drone-mounted cameras.

The footage depicts the scale of works and the scope of activities being undertaken, including sub pavement construction and roller compaction, boxing out and widening of the road, excavation and rehabilitation of soft spots, sub pavement stabilisation, grading of sub pavement surfaces to obtain finished levels, material importation and removal, trenching for installation of sub soil drainage, and installation of storm water drainage. 

 

Gallery: Old South Road works April 2023

Gallery: Old South Road works September 2023

 

Contact details

Project Delivery Team
02 4868 0888

Location

Old South Road Mittagong, Mittagong 2575  View Map

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