The project is funded through a combination of Federal and State government grants and Wingecarribee Shire Council contributions. Funding has been secured from the Safer Roads Program, Fixing Local Roads Program and Local Roads & Community Infrastructure Program.

Old South Road has average pavement over its length which presents an uneven ride surface over numerous sections. The area is subject to heavy frosts and fog during winter months with grass in multiple locations encroaching the edge of pavement. The condition of the pavement compounded with the potential for heavy frosts increased the risk of traffic incidents.

The steep grades associated with moderate curve radii, trees and poles in the clear zone, increased traffic volumes and existing pavement condition raises concern for increased vehicular run-off. This trend is not likely to change given the significant land releases being currently developed in Moss Vale and Mittagong.

The pavement along sections of Old South Road is now becoming dilapidated beyond repair. Heavy maintenance patching is regularly required and, apart from proving uneconomical, it presents additional safety concerns on what is already a narrow and undulating road. Complete reconstruction and suitable subgrade treatment is considered the only solution.

The Construction phase of the Old South Road Rehabilitation project commenced in January 2023.

To reduce inconvenience to local business owners and residents, construction focused on the Northern end initially, with local resident access maintained throughout the works.

This is an extremely important project given the substantial Council resources that have been used to maintain this vital thoroughfare, with regular pot hole rectifications required. Many commuters use Old South Road to navigate between Mittagong, Bowral, and Moss Vale, with traffic levels of more than 6,000 vehicles per day travelling on Old South Road to avoid traffic in congested towns.

Prior to the current rehabilitation project, Old South Road was in a poor condition as it was never designed for this volume of traffic. The rehabilitation will provide a completely reconstructed road with additional safety improvements including rectification of the vertical and horizontal alignments, road widening, audio tactile line marking, and guard rails.

Stage 1 and 2 works commenced on the 9.7 km stretch of road between Merrigang Street and Range Road in January 2023, with this section of the road temporarily closed during construction, and reopened in December 2023.

Stage 3 works have commenced between Aylmerton Road Mittagong and Old Hume Highway, in January 2024.

Old South Road is a local distributor road that connects the Old Hume Highway to residential areas east of Mittagong and Bowral town centres. The road crosses the range between Mittagong and Bowral and has significant grades on each side of Range Road. As traffic volumes have grown across the Shire so too has traffic movement increased along Old South Road.

Old South Road is a two-lane road with a flush seal and has minimal to no shoulder areas. The road between Merrigang Street and Bong Bong Road is subject to frost in winter months. Old South Road has a 10 tonne load limit and a posted speed limit of 80 km/h. The roundabout at the intersection of Old South Road and Range Road has lighting which was installed as per standard requirements. For the most part no other lighting is provided between Merrigang Street and Aylmerton Road.

The road presents as a rural road with large private holdings along its length. High voltage transmission poles are located on both sides of Old South Road between Merrigang Street and approximately 1.1 km north-east of the Range Road roundabout. There are numerous trees at various locations and power poles also in the clear zone.