NSW Government unveils $275 million Nelson Bay Road redesign

The New South Wales government has announced a revised $275 million redesign for Nelson Bay Road, opting to scrap a previously proposed bypass for the Bobs Farm-to-Williamtown section. Transport for NSW deemed the former alignment unworkable due to engineering, environmental, property, and cost constraints.

The new three-stage plan aims to address safety concerns on the 43-kilometre corridor, which carries over 25,000 vehicles daily and has seen a high rate of accidents. Between 2020 and 2024, a specific stretch recorded 115 crashes and 125 casualties, including four deaths.

Stage one of the project will involve constructing a new 2.8-kilometre, four-lane road between Salt Ash and Bobs Farm to target one of the most crash-prone sections of the route. However, the stretch between Anna Bay and Salamander Bay, where recent fatal incidents occurred, is not included in the current major upgrade plans.