Work starts on intersection
Gosford Council has started work on the Maitland Bay Drive-Picnic Parade intersection.
The construction is jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments.
The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has given qualified endorsement to the work.
"While the Chamber welcomes the start on the intersection, we are disappointed with the final intersection design configuration," said chamber president Matthew Wales.
"The intersection is being constructed using a 'seagull' format with slip lanes and storage lanes rather than a roundabout.
"The Chamber is of the opinion that the seagull intersection will quickly prove inadequate with the progressive increase in traffic that we have been experiencing with Maitland Bay Drive.
"We all know how difficult and dangerous it is to get out of this intersection.
"The seagull configuration may provide some short term relief but the Chamber believes that a roundabout should have been built first up.
"Even Gosford Council concedes that a roundabout will ultimately be needed.
"The Chamber has made repeated representations to Council to have the design upgraded.
"However, the decision seems to have more to do with the cost of the intersection rather than the ultimate requirements."
Mr Wales said that $100,000 had come from the State Government and a further $100,000 from the Federal Government.
"Gosford Council is obviously strapped for funds at the moment which may have limited the design options.
"Council has stated that the seagull intersection layout has been designed so that a roundabout can be accommodated in the future.
"The Chambers position is that we should be building the roundabout now rather than suffer further disruptions in 12 months time when the roundabout becomes inoperative."