Funding secured for major new roundabout

May 23, 2019

Orange mayor Cr Reg Kidd has welcomed the NSW Government announcement to fund $2.3 million towards a $4.7 million new roundabout at the corner of the northern bypass and William Maker Drive.

It will be one of Orange’s biggest roundabouts, on the scale of the by-pass/Molong Road roundabout, with two lanes of traffic in and out.

The project will also include a re-alignment of the northern end of Hill St to join the southern leg of the roundabout.

It’s expected traffic flow improvements will include a significant reduction in current waiting times for Hill St traffic entering the bypass.

The roundabout project is expected to go to tender in the coming months with work to be completed before the end of the 2020 calendar year.

PROJECT : The new roundabout includes plans to re-align the northern end of Hill St, removing long delays for traffic entering the bypass. (Click to see detailed plan)

During construction, steps will be taken to minimise the impact for traffic on the bypass and in William Maker Drive. For ‘most’ of the project’s timeline, the new roundabout will be built in an area on the southern side of the bypass, allowing traffic in William Maker Drive and the bypass to continue uninterrupted.

Because the re-alignment of Hill St, the project also includes an upgrade to the bluestone gates at the entrance to the Botanic Gardens car park.

PROJECT FUNDING :

• Total project ~ $4.7 million
• NSW Govt funding ~ $2.359 million
• Remainder ~ OCC funding and industry contributions

Announcing the funding, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier Steph Cooke said the ‘Resources for Regions’ program was established by the NSW Government to deliver improved local infrastructure to mining-related communities.

Mrs Cooke said the funding would go a long way improving critical infrastructure projects in the region.

Orange mayor Cr Reg Kidd welcomed the announcement.

FUNDING : Pictured on the site of the new roundabout are Deputy Mayor Cr Sam Romano, Member for Orange Phil Donato, Orange Mayor Reg Kidd and Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier, Steph Cooke.

“The new roundabout has been on Orange City Council’s project list for some time and I’m delighted the NSW Government is coming to the party to let this crucial piece of infrastructure be built,” Cr Reg Kidd said.

“The bypass road is growing in popularity both for traffic moving through the region and for commuters driving from one side of Orange to the other. The new roundabout is a major investment in boosting the efficiency of this road.”