Pittwater Online persists in its coverage and charting of the changes due to the historical significance of the project, the interest by young and older alike in the construction techniques, equipment and machines used, and what it means for Pittwater residents and all those millions who visit our area annually via this road.
In June 2017 Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes announced funding had been allocated in the NSW Government’s 2017/18 budget to commence construction of the Mona Vale Road Upgrade. Tenders for the then costed at $150 million eastern section of the project between Mona Vale and Ingleside were to be advertised following a $17.5 million allocation to kick start construction. This announcement followed the completion of necessary planning and preliminary works over recent years.
In November 2018 Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes announced the NSW Government had awarded the construction contract for the upgrade of Mona Vale Road East. The contract was awarded to Georgiou Group Pty Ltd and onsite works are expected to commence in February next year, after the summer holiday period. The project was then expected to be completed in 2022.
On Tuesday January 29th 2019 the contractor commenced preliminary works such as installing traffic controls, such as barriers, signs, linemarking, setting up the site compound for the project team and delivering materials and equipment to site.
The project has had some good work done during the early stages, such as when workers Mona Vale Road East Upgrade Calls In Sydney Wildlife Volunteer To Relocate Lapwing Plovers Nest: Eggs Hatch!
There have also been ongoing issues with site runoff polluting local creeks on either side of the road - into Warriewood and Narrabeen and into Bayview since at least 2021. Bayview Golf Club's committee members have been trying for over a year to get action taken on clay run off that keeps appearing in Cahill creek where that runs through the course.
In July 2021 professional photographer Guy Finlay took a series of images recording the flow of sediment into the Warriewood creek system and then into Narrabeen Lagoon. Through a social media forum the images were brought to the attention of Cr. Vincent De Luca OAM and Cr. Rory Amon by residents.
The previous Coalition Government announced in June 2022;
- $340 million over the next 4 years to upgrade Mona Vale Road West. Work on the $250 million Mona Vale Road East project is expected to be completed within the next 12 months.
- $11 million to continue upgrading Mona Vale Public School (total project cost $52.8 million).
- $15.5 million to commence the upgrade of the Narrabeen Education Campus (total cost subject to tender).
- $40 million for safety and capacity improvements on Wakehurst Parkway (total project cost $150 million over next 3 years).
- $2.4 million for the construction of a dedicated pedestrian/cycling link between Newport Beach and Bilgola Beach.
- $1.09 million for ongoing campus configuration improvements at Mona Vale Hospital.
The $100 million increase in costs can be attributed in part to the increase in costs of all construction post-Covid, see; Increases In Building Materials Costs Adds Pressure To Fixed Price Contracts - Construction Industry and may even be costs associated with modifying the Truck Arrestor bed. However, this is an almost 50% increase which has never been explained.
The signage that was installed when the project commenced is still in place as of April 9th 2023 and continues to state the project cost is $140 million:
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The incoming Labor Government stated as part of its election promises it will redistribute road funding to growth areas, including Western Sydney where thousands of new homes are to be built - projects such as the Northern Beaches Tunnel are to be cancelled. No announcements have been made regarding the Mona Vale Road West project or Wakehurst Parkway roadworks as yet.
Rory Amon, the new and incoming Pittwater MP, has stated; ''I will fight to complete the widening of Mona Vale Road, flood proof the Wakehurst Parkway.''
The Mona Vale Road East upgrade includes 3.2 kilometres of Mona Vale Road between Manor Road, Ingleside, and Foley Street, Mona Vale, and now averages at $80 million per kilometre in costs.
The Mona Vale Road West - Mona Vale Road upgrade consists of Upgrading 3.4 kilometres of Mona Vale Road from two lanes to four lanes between McCarrs Creek Road, Terrey Hills and Powder Works Road, Ingleside. Included this time are some photos taken from Kimbriki tip heading east to also keep a record of what that section looked like in April 2023 should that MVR West upgrade proceed.
That section is also where the trees that once stood and that excavated from the MVR East section has been placed.
The Roads To Pittwater: The Mona Vale Road (History page) of September 2018 charts earlier changes from a dirt track to the carriageway upgrades that came later. Warringah Shire Council's Minutes of Meetings earliest records from 1906 on show they were tasked with 'clearing scrub' from the then quite new Mona Vale Cemetery up to Ingleside and contracted locals to do this work - well worth perusing as well.
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The return journey heading east, December 20, 2022:
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