Transport for NSW will be undertaking geotechnical and site investigations of the route for the proposed Picton Bypass site for the next 12 weeks.
Ground investigations started midway last month to help with design and construction planning for the bypass, and will include work on Picton Road and Remembrance Driveway.
The work by TfNSW will include drilling bore holes and test pits, restoring disturbed areas, using drones to film the area, locating underground pipes or cables and checking soil samples.
Once built, Picton Bypass will provide motorists and heavy vehicles an alternate route linking Thirlmere and Tahmoor with the Hume Motorway via Picton Road.
Mayor Matt Gould has welcomed the news that the project may finally be getting some traction.
“I’m pleased to see that Transport for NSW will be on site in the coming weeks, and hope that this work brings us another step closer to seeing the reality of the Picton Bypass that we have long advocated for,’’ he said.
“The major priority remains that the government allocates the full funding for construction of the bypass and I know the Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan is pushing hard for this to happen.
“The bypass is something our community urgently needs; particularly with the increasing traffic through Picton’s main street due to the impact of the nearby growth areas and Wollondilly’s contribution to housing supply.
“As a priority, we really need to have clear evacuation routes in place in case of any future emergencies – the one lane Victoria Bridge is not a viable option for getting people in and out of the towns and villages surrounding Picton.
“Thanks to our local state MP Judy Hannan for her great work in advocating hard for the Picton Bypass as her number one priority for this term of government, as well as all the strong advocates for this project.
“I hope that the project will continue to gain momentum and we will see full funding allocated and construction taking place in the very near future.”