One of Shoalhaven’s most important transport projects has reached a major milestone, with the East Nowra Sub Arterial (ENSA) Road project concept design now on public display.
The road will provide a vital new connection between the Princes Highway and Greenwell Point Road, creating an alternative route for motorists travelling to Worrigee and the coastal villages east of Nowra while helping improve the efficiency of the broader road network.
The Minns Labor Government has invested $12 million from the Regional Roads Fund to Shoalhaven City Council to begin project management, site investigations, design and early construction works.
The ENSA project was initiated by Shoalhaven City Council as a key contributor to reducing traffic congestion through Nowra.
The planned road will bypass the Nowra CBD, moving more than 4000 vehicles a day out of the town and improving traffic flow.
The key benefits of the new road include:
- Reduced congestion on the Princes Highway by providing an alternative connection between Nowra and communities east of Nowra, including Worrigee
- Reduced traffic on the Princes Highway associated with access to the local shopping centre
- Reduced pressure on the Kalandar Street and Princes Highway intersection and local roads including Terara Road, Comerong Road, Millbank Road and Jindy Andy Lane
- Improved network resilience during incidents, floods and road closures
- Enhanced pedestrian and cycling connections through the delivery of new shared paths and crossing facilities.
The draft concept design also proposes several changes that will reshape how people travel through Nowra and beyond, including:
- The removal of the ageing Jane Street Bridge to improve traffic flow by enabling direct highway access to Junction Street and the local shopping centre.
- Widening North Street to two lanes in each direction to improve traffic flow and access to Nowra town centre and the Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital. New off-street parking is proposed.
- Reconfiguring Moss Street to two-way traffic to improve access to local businesses, increase short-term parking, enhance pedestrian safety, and strengthen connections to the Nowra town centre.
- Relocating and upgrading the Nowra High School sporting fields to improve drainage, reduce flood impacts, enhance safety, and provide quality sporting facilities for students and the wider community.
- Additional on-site parking at Nowra High School to improve student drop-off and pick-up arrangements, reduce informal parking, and enhance safety.
While some of these changes will alter the way people currently travel through Nowra, they are designed to improve safety, reduce congestion, and position Nowra for a more efficient and resilient road network to support future growth.
Feedback on the concept design and draft Review of Environmental Factors (REF) will officially open in February 2027, to allow the community, businesses and stakeholders more time to review and consider.
