South Batemans Bay link road
Project: Construct a 2.2km road to link George Bass Drive to the Princes Highway and extend Heron Road.
Timeframe: 2013 to 2024
Cost and funding: $10m NSW Government funding
Page last updated: January 2024
Details
A new road will provide a link between George Bass Drive at Batehaven and the Princes Highway. The project also involves the extension of Heron Road, Catalina to connect to the new link road.
The roads will provide an alternative route for traffic to bypass the Batemans Bay CBD and Beach Road, and will deliver significant and much needed relief to congestion and amenity issues.
As of 10 March 2017 the previously unnamed link road, from the existing Glenella Road to the intersection with the Princes Highway, was officially gazetted as being named Glenella Road.
Construction segments
George Bass Drive to Curtis Road (Glenella Road)
We completed this construction in 2013-14 and we applied the final seal during 2014-15. In 2018 a new roundabout was built at the intersection of George Bass Drive and Glenella Road.
Glenella Road to The Ridge Road (now Glenella Road)
An unsealed road existed over part of the route along with a fire trail. Vegetation clearing works were completed in 2013-14 and construction works began in 2016-17. A two lane rural standard road with broad sealed shoulders has been built. Provision has been made to include an overtaking lane on the uphill section for westbound traffic. This will be instated once the connection is made to the Princes Highway.
Heron Road extension to Glenella Road
A low key gravel road existed extending from Heron Road to Glenella Road. Vegetation clearing works were completed in 2013-14. Works commenced in 2016-17 on a two lane rural standard road with broad sealed shoulders. Heron Road was connected to Glenella Road and opened to traffic in January 2018.
The Ridge Road (now Glenella Road) to the Princes Highway
The final approach from the new link road to the highway will be designed and constructed once NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) determine the final design.
Princes Highway intersection
Transport for NSW is responsible for the design and construction of the intersection with the highway. An existing low standard T-junction (The Ridge Road) exists at this site. Realignment of Princes Highway is required to north and south as part of the provision of this intersection and to address future needs identified in the traffic modelling.
Project updates
July 2019
- The RMS have begun planning and investigation work to complete the link to the Princes Hwy.
- Check out the latest drone footage of the whole project now that we have finished construction of the Glenella Road roundabout at George Bass Drive.
June 2019
- Line marking has been applied to the George Bass Drive/Glenella Road roundabout completing the final stage of Council's role in the project.
- All that remains is for NSW Roads & Maritime Services to provide the final link connecting Glenella Road to the Princes Highway.
April 2019
- The power pole has been removed from the George Bass Drive/Glenella Road roundabout and the road has been sealed.
- Once the line marking is applied the roundabout will be opened up to the two-lane capacity.
March 2019
- The cables have been disconnected from the power pole within the roundabout and relocated off the road.
- The contractors were unable to remove the pole in its entirety and a much larger machine has been teed up to pull it out of the ground.
February 2019
- We expected electrical contractors to return to the Glenella roundabout in mid-February to relocate the power pole. Unfortunately the contractors have postponed the work until mid-March.
- When the work is complete our crew will patch the road and open the extra lane.
January 2019
The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian MP and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance MP announced on 8 January that $30m would be provided by the NSW State Government, to enable delivery of:
- The upgrade of the Princes Highway south of Batemans Bay
- Glenella Road connection to the Princes Highway
- Completion of the incomplete approach to the Princes Highway.
Following this announcement, Mayor Clr Liz Innes said “We are very appreciative to the Premier and Local Member for this generous funding, and look forward to working with the RMS to complete this project”.
Follow the progress of the RMS component of the project.
December 2018
- The preliminary works to relocate the power pole in the roundabout are complete.
- We are hoping the electrical contractor will have approval from Essential Energy to move the pole in mid-January.
- The 40km/h speed limit will remain in place for now.
November 2018
- Electrical contractors have begun works to adjust power poles and install street lighting. This work will include moving the power pole out of the roundabout enabling us to continue on with the project.
- While this work is undertaken the barriers will remain in place, restricting the roundabout to a single lane.
- Line marking will be applied soon and we plan to have the roundabout completed by Christmas.
- Once the roundabout is finished, all that will remain for project completion is the link to the Princes Highway. NSW RMS is responsible for the design and construction of this intersection.
September 2018
- Construction of the new roundabout at George Bass Drive and Glenella Road is nearly complete.
- Traffic is moving smoothly through the area with a 40km/h speed limit.
- Electrical contractors will soon relocate the power pole enabling us to finish the roundabout by applying a final asphalt concrete seal and line marking.
February 2018
- The Glenella Road leg of the intersection with George Bass Drive has been closed to facilitate construction of the roundabout.
- Traffic in both directions on George Bass Drive is being diverted onto a temporary road.
January 2018
- Heron Road has been extended connecting it to the upgraded Glenella Road. When the RMS tie in the link to Glenella Road we will remove the barriers and commuters will pass through this intersection en route to the Princes Highway.
December 2017
- The new section of Glenella Road is open to traffic. The new road now provides easier access to/from George Bass Drive and Heron Road.
- Motorists travelling along Curtis Road and Gannet Place are asked to take care as they will now be required to 'Give Way' to traffic.
- Glenella Road is still closed from the intersection of The Ridge Road to the Princes Highway. The highway intersection treatment remains unresolved. Andrew Constance, Member for Bega, confirmed he was continuing to advocate to the Minister for Roads for vital funding for this necessary intersection upgrade.
- Works to complete the final stage of the Glenella Road/George Bass Drive roundabout will cease over the summer holiday period and recommence on 29 January 2018.
November 2017
- Work on the roundabout at the intersection of Glenella Road and George Bass Drive started proper on 20 November 2017.
- Glenella Road will be closed at the intersection of George Bass Drive for roundabout formation works from 27 November until just prior to Christmas. Works will then cease for a number of weeks and the road will be re-opened. This section of Glenella Road will be closed again when works recommence after Australia Day.
- While the Glenella Road closure is in place we request that motorists detour via Curtis Road and Crosby Drive.
- Disruptions on George Bass Drive before the Christmas break will be limited to reduced speed limits and occasional lane closures. Traffic control will be in place. After Australia Day, motorists will experience increased impacts of the roundabout construction, including additional traffic control measures and unsealed road surfaces.
September 2017
- Take a drone's eye view of how the road is looking all the way from The Ridge Road to George Bass Drive. Compare it with our first clip at the bottom of the page to see how far we've come!
August 2017
- All of the bulk earthworks and the majority of the road pavement has been completed.
- Over 22,000 square metres of seal has already gone down on Glenella Road and the link through to Heron Road.
July 2017
- A section of Glenella Road between George Bass Drive and Curtis Road will be closed for stormwater pipe works from 31 July to 11 August. Residents and visitors are required to used Crosby Drive for access for the duration of the works.
May 2017
- Council’s Director of Infrastructure Services, Warren Sharpe, said Council will complete its section of the roadworks by the end of 2018 when the new roundabout at the intersection of Glenella Road and George Bass Drive is built. However, the highway intersection treatment remains unresolved. Andrew Constance, Member for Bega, confirmed he was continuing to advocate to the Minister for Roads for vital funding for this necessary intersection upgrade.
- View progress along the length of the road as at May 2017:
March 2017
- As of 10 March 2017 the previously unnamed link road, from the existing Glenella Road to the intersection with the Princes Highway, was officially gazetted as being named Glenella Road. See how road construction is progressing in the following short clip:
- To take advantage of equipment available on site, we have started preliminary works at the intersection of Glenella Road and George Bass Drive in preparation for the planned roundabout.
- Water-filled barriers have been installed along George Bass Drive to provide for worker safety, however no disruptions to traffic on George Bass Drive are anticipated.
- Intermittent traffic control will be in place on Glenella Road to allow for the movement of trucks and road plant as we perform preliminary bulk earthworks (surcharging).
December 2016 to March 2017
- Works is progressing with heavy machinery scraping, rolling and grading along.
October 2016
- Works are underway at the Glenella Road end of the new link road.
- We are preparing the surface of low-lying damp areas so road construction can begin.
- After the topsoil is removed, geofabric is spread to form the first layer.
- The unsealed sections of Glenella and Heron Road are closed for the duration of the project.
August 2016
- As works conclude on the realignment of the Kings Highway east of Nelligen, teams and equipment are moving to start construction on the next stage of the link road. These works will extend west from Glenella Road to The Ridge Road and north to connect with Heron Road. We expect to complete these works in December 2018.
- Watch our short video showing the route of the new link road before works begin in earnest:
March 2016
- Member for Bega, Andrew Constance, confirmed the $10 million allocation by the NSW Government for this project and announced that work would soon be underway on further segments of the project to complete the remaining 2.2 km from Curtis Road to the Princes Highway. This segment is expected to take about two years to complete and will eventually include a new roundabout at the intersection of George Bass Drive and a Heron Road extension to the link road.
- We are continuing to work with RMS to plan the intersection between the link road and the Princes Highway.
- The Audit Committee recently reviewed the project and agreed the current management processes.
December 2015
In preparation for construction of the South Batemans Bay Link Road, the following works have been completed:
- Road reserve secured for full corridor.
- Construction completed on section between Curtis Road and George Bass Drive.
- Vegetation clearing work completed between Princes Highway and Curtis Road.
- Vegetation clearing work completed along proposed extension of Heron Road.
- The main trunk water main has been relocated.
- Culverts have been purchased and are on-site at the corner of Glenella Road and George Bass Drive.
The NSW RMS is undertaking design of options for the highway intersection with Eurobodalla Shire Council invited as an Alliance team member. RMS has committed resources to the design and environmental assessment of options for the highway junction.
More information
The project will encourage economic development activity by opening links to employment lands at Surf Beach as well as servicing existing and proposed development lands.
It will provide:
- Less congestion on Beach Road, as traffic modelling indicates that an average of 5,000 vehicles per day will be diverted onto the link road, with higher figures at peak times.
- Improved safety for pedestrians crossing Beach Road within the Batemans Bay CBD, near Hanging Rock Sporting Complex and near Batemans Bay High School.
- Improved amenity for residents and businesses through the reduction of heavy vehicles and traffic noise using Beach Road.
- Reduced travel times for commuters, freight and emergency vehicles. The road will allow the Batemans Bay Ambulance Station at Surf Beach to improve their call response time through direct access to the Princes Highway.
Contact us
For more information about this project, please contact Tony Swallow, Division Manager Works:
- T: 02 4474 1000
- E: Council