West Dapto Road will be upgraded from Shone Avenue, Horsley to Yard Street, Stream Hill. Construction began in 2022 and is expected to take several years to complete.
The first phase of works at the western end of West Dapto Road are now complete.
We’ve recently awarded the construction contract for the next stage of works including the upgrade of the intersection of Shone Avenue, Wongawilli Road and West Dapto Road as well as works along West Dapto Road towards Yard Street.
This large-scale project includes:
- Road, pavement, pathway, bridge and drainage works
- Improved access during flooding
- New traffic signals at the intersection of Shone Avenue and West Dapto Road.
Works are due to start in late April / May 2025. Detailed planning is underway to refine the construction methodology with the goal of minimising the construction duration and reducing the time of any necessary road closures.
Works will be done in stages and are expected to be completed in 2026, subject to weather, service authority approvals and other circumstances out of Council’s control.
It is expected there will be temporary full road closures from mid-2025 to deliver this project and its long-term community benefits. The timing and duration of closures are being finalised, and will depend on various services being relocated. We'll share updates when details about any road closures are confirmed.
Will I still be able to access my property?
Yes. Detours will be in place for residents in Wongawilli, Stream Hill and Horsely as shown in the map below.
Map of West Dapto Road closures and detours PDF, 309.88 KB
Primary detour routes will be via:
- Fairwater Drive / Fowlers Road with M1 access
- Bong Bong Road (no trucks)
- Princes Highway (northern access)
- Darkes Road (no trucks)
Part of West Dapto Road will be open to local traffic only.
Properties located within the worksite with direct driveway access will have access maintained throughout construction. The contractor will manage this access with information provided directly to those impacted.
What impacts will construction have in the area?
The temporary detours are expected to result in a slight increase in travel time for residents and a redistribution of local traffic to alternate routes. Significant services relocation, particularly near the Shone Avenue and West Dapto Road intersection, will dictate the time and duration of the road closures.
Construction is permitted on weekdays from 7am to 6pm and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. Limited works may be required outside these hours to reduce impacts to road users or for safety reasons.
Additional truck movements associated with the works are expected. We will recycle existing road materials where possible for sustainability and to minimise traffic generation. The contractor will have management plans in place to minimise the environmental impact of noise and dust generated from the works.
Council is also working with Transport for NSW and Premier Bus Services to review services to all areas, including Stream Hill, and to develop alternative routing for school services.
How was the decision made to close the road completely rather than partially?
The full road closure to through traffic between Shone Avenue and Rainbird Drive is expected to result in the reduction in construction timeline by up to 10 weeks, ensuring a higher-quality road finish, and generate significant cost savings for the project.
Will access for emergency services be affected?
Consultation with emergency services is currently underway to ensure access for emergency services is maintained.
How do I stay updated on the project?
You can stay updated during this period through information displayed on variable message signs. Road closures will be reported to live traffic services, enabling updates through navigation services.
We will provide regular updates on construction progress on this webpage.
I still have questions about this project, how can I have them answered?
You can call Council on (02) 4227 7111 or email us council@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
You can also come and talk to staff working on this project at the Let’s Chat Dapto! event at Dapto Ribbonwood Centre between 3.30 - 6pm on Thursday 27 March 2025.
We thank you for your understanding as we improve local infrastructure.
The West Dapto Road upgrade project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Wollongong City Council.