“How much longer?”
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That’s the question from at least two local heavy vehicle drivers after Friday’s news of a delay in the opening of the northern heavy vehicle bypass.
Chris Sweeney says his route from Bogan Gate Road to the highway is 13km longer and a lot more complicated than it needs to be. Carrier Rob Allen echoes his sentiments.
The two say heavy vehicles go via Edward Street and Bedgerabong Road, onto Farrand Street then via an awkward turn onto Farnell Street and up Show Street to the highway.
Mr Sweeney in the past campaigned for Johnson Street to be opened as a B Double route, with the intersection with Dowling Street upgraded to allow trucks to turn toward the highway there.
It wasn’t to be, due to the proximity of the school, aged care and public swimming pool, and now the promised bypass has been delayed with Council informed the railway crossing on Daroobalgie Road requires a $500,000 upgrade (full story in last Friday’s edition).
“We have been waiting 10 years to get B Double access, how much has that cost?” Mr Sweeney asked.
He also queried how much more would need to be spent to upgrade the intersection where the bypass meets the Newell Highway.
”To get a road train onto the highway at 110km/hr you need a pull on lane to go to the right and a merging lane to go to the left,” he said.
A council spokesperson said on Monday that the intersection itself was suitable for heavy vehicle access.
“In 2012, at cost of $870,000, RMS engaged Council to upgrade the intersection of the Newell Highway and Daroobalgie Road,” the spokesperson said.
"The aim of the upgrade work was primarily to improve road safety on the Newell Highway, but RMS took into account that Council had committed to the Northern Bypass and the upgrade was designed accordingly.
“This intersection is suitable for heavy vehicle access and no further work is required.”
The project has a budget of $4.3 million: in 2013 and 2014, Council allocated Roads to Recovery funding to continue the project.
In 2014/15, Council received grants of $2.1 million from the Federal Government Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Scheme and $1.1 million from the State Government Fixing Country Roads to complete the bypass.
Forbes Shire Council committed $1.1 million.
A council spokesperson said there was just the railway crossing and 300m of road between the crossing and the highway remaining to complete the project.
“Council has sufficient budget to complete the 300m section of road between the rail crossing and the Newell Highway. These works are currently in progress,” the spokesperson said.
