The $21 million bridge replacement and highway realignment is expected to take about 18 months to complete and comes after ongoing negotiations between NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), landowners, road users and the National Parks and Wildlife service.

Work started this week on clearing the roadside in preparation for roadwork that will commence in March.

For the next 18 months, drivers can expect delays as a 45-metre three-span bridge is built and the bends on either side of the bridge are realigned for a total distance of 1.6 kilometres - one kilometre to the north and 600 metres to the south of the bridge.

After turning the first sod on the project on Monday, Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said she was excited to see work commence, following extensive community consultation.

She said a lot of groups and individuals had been involved in selecting the route for the realignment after the original RMS plans were rejected.

“This project shows what can happen when people take a stand for something they feel passionate about,” she said.

“The landowners and community were very vocal when the first proposal was announced and, at the end of the day, they achieved a great outcome.”

Mrs Hancock said, following the discovery of green and golden bell frogs in the region, an environmental plan was in place to ensure the protection of the vulnerable species.

“Crossings for native animals will be provided above and below the upgraded highway using a rope bridge and an underpass,” she said.

The upgrade, to be carried out by Civil Mining and Construction, is expected to reduce travel times for motorists as the road will be built to a 100 kilometre an hour standard and will provide safer access for residents on nearby properties.