“The Princes Highway has long been the forgotten highway of this state,” he said.

“If you drive the Princes Highway today and see the improvements that are currently underway and that have been done, they’re just outstanding.”

The $21 million Termeil Creek Bridge is part of a larger framework of upgrades to the Princes Highway that the region has seen in recent years. 

A framework encompassing upgrades to the Termeil and Burrill Lake Bridges, but overlooks the region’s main need of a Milton-Ulladulla bypass. 

When asked about plans for the Milton-Ulladulla bypass Mr Gay conceded there is no schedule for work to commence. 

“At this stage no there isn’t,” Mr Gay said.

“We’re working our way down and doing safety improvements along other areas of the Princes Highway.”

Member for the South Coast, Shelley Hancock stressed that plans for the upgrade are still gazetted and RMS funded traffic controllers are being used to regulate pedestrian crossings at peak times. 

However, several residents believe pedestrian crossings are not the problem, and the problem is the missing bypass.

“For the RMS to fund traffic controllers for Milton crossing during the peak holiday season is welcome, but how much difference will it make?” one Milton resident said in a letter to the Editor.

“We have had traffic controllers on the crossing and we still had long traffic delays. At best it had a marginal effect. On the positive side pedestrian safety is enhanced.”

Mr Gay asserted the State Government is holding true to their promises on infrastructure upgrades to the region and stressed they aren’t just glossy brochures. 

“This is an area that we pledged we would put this infrastructure in, and we are,” he said. 

“Not glossy brochures. We’re not cutting down trees to put out glossy brochures.

“If we have to move vegetation it is to put new infrastructure in to safe lives.

“The next stage will be that major by-pass at Albion park and that is going to be a huge project.”