Council road works program steps up this week

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2:

William Maker Drive update:

William Maker Drive will be closed for an extra two weeks and will re-open on December 4.

The additional fortnight is for the contractor to complete some extra work in the area, at the same time.

William Maker Drive will be upgraded from the bypass to Stevenson way.

We appreciate there is in inconvenience for north Orange residents who have waited a long time for this upgrade.

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20 October 2017

A long-awaited upgrade to William Maker Drive is one of the highlights, as the annual road-building season steps up a gear in the coming week.

Drivers are being encouraged to find out where road-work will be happening and plan ahead to avoid delays.

Mayor Reg Kidd has welcomed the latest round of projects.

“The people who’ve lived at the northern end of William Maker Drive have been waiting for many years for this work to begin, and I know they’ll be delighted to see machinery on site this week,” Cr Reg Kidd said.

”Like Clergate Rd, this street began life as a narrow country lane. Now it’s the main thoroughfare to large new housing estates. It will get the upgrade it deserves.”

“Because it’s being built now, it can be paid for from financial contributions from the developers. Because it’s being built now, it won’t be damaged by the heavy trucks that have built subdivisions.”

From Monday, closures will affect traffic in both Williams Maker Drive and Burrendong Way.

William Maker Drive will be closed for one month from the northern bypass to Stevenson Way as the road receives a major upgrade. Detours will be in place diverting traffic via Romano Drive, Diamond Drive, Telopea Way and Clergate Road.

The upgrade work is being completed by contractors KLMR and is being paid for from contributions from developers of new housing estates.

Also on Monday, one lane of Burrendong Way will also be closed north from the bypass roundabout, for 400 metres.

The southbound lane will remain open, and both lanes will be open during the evenings after 4.30pm.

Council crews will be reconstructing the 400 metre section of road.

The limited closure will be in place for about 8 weeks from 7.30am to 4.30pm and detours will be through Clergate Road and Dawsons Gate Road.

Nearby residents have been sent a letter outlining the changes and there will be electronic signs detailing the detours.

Orange City Council’s Infrastructure Committee chair, Cr Sam Romano is asking local residents to be patient while work begins.

“Everyone in Orange would like better roads, and we’re getting on with the job in these locations,” Cr Romano said. “There will be some inconvenience but that’s some short-term pain for a long-term gain.”

Weather permitting, work will also begin on Monday on an upgrade of Hill St, from Moulder Street south to the Aquatic Centre.