Plans for a major Bulli bypass route that would have crossed the Illawarra Escarpment have been officially abandoned by the state's transport authority.
Escarpment Crossing Deemed Unfeasible
Transport for NSW has confirmed it has ruled out all large-scale options for a bypass that would involve a crossing of the iconic escarpment. This decision eliminates long-considered proposals for either a tunnel or a bridge that would have connected to either Bulli Pass near the hairpin bend or directly to the M1 Princes Motorway.
The investigations concluded that any escarpment connection would create significant environmental and cultural impacts on sensitive areas, including the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area and Illawarra Grevillea Park. Cassandra Ffrench, Transport for NSW Executive Director for Partnerships and Integration South, stated the steep terrain and history of underground coal mining also presented complex engineering challenges, making construction highly difficult and prohibitively costly.
One previously considered option was a 330-metre tunnel linking to the Bulli Pass hairpin, which was estimated to cost over $1 billion to construct back in 2015.
Focus Shifts to Alternative Routes
With the escarpment crossing off the table, the focus now moves entirely to alternative bypass routes that would skirt around the township of Bulli. The investigations are centred on a route beginning at the northern end of Memorial Drive.
These options would see the bypass rejoin the Princes Highway at various intersections located before the bottom of Bulli Pass. Transport for NSW has emphasised that the next stage of planning involves a careful weighing of the size, cost, and benefits of any proposed work.
"This means considering how a potential bypass would fit within the reserved road corridor, what bridges or elevated sections may be needed, how it would connect to existing roads and whether features like noise walls would be required," a recent community update explained.
Safety and Traffic Flow Remain the Priority
Ms Ffrench stressed that ruling out the escarpment routes brings planners a step closer to identifying the right long-term solution for the area. However, she also noted that if a bypass is ultimately not found to be the most suitable option, a plan to improve safety and traffic flow on the local road network is still essential.
"Any outcome needs to be practical, fit the local area and deliver genuine long-term benefits," Ms Ffrench said. The core goal remains improving both safety and travel reliability for motorists in the Bulli area and along this key stretch of the Illawarra's road network.
