Work begins on first stage of Cargo Road upgrade

Council crews began work last week (17 January) on the first stage of the Cargo Road project, a 850 metre long section from the council boundary at Neals Lane to Witton Place.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the community of Orange will be delighted to see work beginning on this project.

“The entrance to Orange from Cargo Road has been on the list for a major upgrade for some time, and it’s good to see work getting under way,” Cr Reg Kidd said.

“We have split the road works into 2 completely separate projects to fast track these much needed works. The first stage is from the council boundary to Witton Place and the second and larger stage is from Witton Place to Ploughmans Lane.”

“Up near the water tank at the top of the hill, the drainage trenches are being dug to drain the ground water away from the road in the cutting.

“The road construction crews will begin in early February on road stabilization and resurfacing, at the section near Neals Lane. This project is fully funded by council and worth $280,000.”

“There’ll be traffic control signs in place, but I’m asking drivers to simply slow down and take extra care to keep the road crews safe. There are lots of blind corners and crests in that part of town.”

Orange City Council Infrastructure chair Cr Sam Romano said tenders for the first part of the work to undertake extensive drainage work to upgrade the section from Witton Place to Ploughmans Lane closed this week.

“This is a busy road that’s been a source of concern for drivers for some time,” Cr Sam Romano said.

“The council has heard that concern loud and clear and I’m looking forward to the first stage of that project starting this financial year.”

“The important thing for locals to realise is that what used to be country road outside Orange, is now part of the residential urban area. Because of this, the plan is to add kerb and gutter and install approximately 1300 metres of underground storm water pipes, the largest of which will be 1200 mm in diameter. The road pavement will also be rebuilt and widened to 10 metres.

“Drainage work is planned to start in March this year and this has to be installed before we can start on the road itself. The whole project is expected to be completed in approximately 12 months time.”

CARGO ROAD: Work has begin to upgrade Cargo Road, the job will be done in two stages.