The Victoria Creek project in its early stages...
THE two major Princes Highway realignment projects south of Narooma are progressing at their own speeds.
The $40 million Victoria Creek realignment is ahead of schedule and should be open by early next year.
Some sections of existing highway have and will be reduced to one lane in upcoming weeks as the new section is tied into and crosses over the old section.
Things are less straight forward to the south where the Dignams Creek realignment project is still in the planning stages.
An earlier advertised plan to realign the highway to the east of the existing highway has been abandoned for a new suggested route to the west of the highway.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) regional manager Bradley Turner said even though properties had been purchased for the previous alignment, this new alternative would halve the cost by overcoming geotechnical difficulties associated with the steepness of that land.
Part of the purchased property is still required for this western route.
The new alignment option would be advertised and the community consulted early next year.
He was hopeful once the plans were finalised, funding could be secured within 12 to 18 months.
The latest on both realignment projects is available on the RMS website at www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadprojects or visit www.livetraffic.com for traffic information.
Finally back in Narooma, motorists may have noticed new line markings on the Princes Highway to the north and south as well as through town.
But a portable roadside sign says bitumen spraying is due on the southern side of town.
The RMS has assured the Narooma News that the line markings will not be covered over and that a section of the highway between Harrington Road and Narooma High School only had its centre line markings upgraded as resealing work is scheduled for October 30-31, weather permitting.
Once the resurfacing work is completed, RMS will carry out full line marking work, a spokeswoman said.