The Tilligerry Creek bridge has become a focal point – and possibly yet another state election issue – in the ongoing debate over the funding of the duplication of Nelson Bay Road.
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State Labor MP Kate Washington has challenged the government about its 2015 pre-election commitment to spend $70 million to fully duplicate Nelson Bay Road. At the time, the ALP had promised a $65 million spend.
Ms Washington said that she was shocked to recently receive to a query an official response from Liberal MP Kevin Anderson labeling Nelson Bay Road as “sufficient”, and stating that the government had “no plans to duplicate the Tilligerry Creek bridge as it’s sufficient for the volume of traffic”.
When contacted, Mr Anderson’s office directed the inquiry to a RMS spokesperson, who stated that a business case for the duplication of Nelson Bay Road from Williamtown to Bobs Farm was being prepared.
“Tilligerry Creek bridge is within this section of Nelson Bay Road,” the RMS said. “As a part of this, consultation will be carried out with the community later this year to help to identify the corridor.”
Ms Washington has labelled the MP’s description as an insult to the vital tourism industry that brings thousands of visitors to Port Stephens each year, as well as local residents who suffer through growing congestion during holiday periods.
“This government promised to ‘fully duplicate’ the road in 2015, and to spend $70 million by 2019.”
More on the Nelson Bay Road duplication: