October 6, 2017

This year’s road building season in Orange has begun.

It began with night work on a busy industrial section of Lords Place, from Gardiner Road to the railway line, in a bid to reduce the impact on local businesses. .

The rehabilitation involves a 480 metre section of the surface being ripped up to a depth of about 200 mm, then stabilised with a road pulveriser and concrete additives.

The road will then be compacted and finished with a 50 mm hot mix seal.

IT BEGINS : Council members Jo McRae, Mayor Kidd and Tony Mileto visited the site of the Lords Place project, to outline plans to reporters at the start of the road-building season.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said this year’s $17 million road building budget was on top of last year’s mammoth road building achievements, where several of Orange’s busiest roads were upgraded along with dozens of residential streets.

“This year’s program has a lot of bread and butter projects such as filling in the dip at Kite Street near Cook Park and an upgrade of Hill Street near the Orange Aquatic Centre, but also big ticket items such as a $3.4 million upgrade of Forest Road.

“The community has been crying out for work to start on that road,” Cr Kidd said.

“It’s a major project and we will be putting the tender out for that project in the next two weeks.

“Cargo Road, a major entrance to the city is also due to receive major work with the tender going out for that project in the coming weeks.

"There will be two Cargo Road projects coming up, one will be from the water tank to the council boundary at Neals Lane, where additional subsoil drainage will be added, the pavement strengthened and a new bitumen seal put down.

“The second project will be down the hill between Whitton Place to Ploughmans Lane, where the road will be widened and upgraded to an urban standard with kerb and gutter, piped drainage and a hot mix asphalt seal.

“We have a long list of priorities this year and we’re hiring additional staff to get the work done.”

New councillor Jo McRae is pleased to see the start of road work for the year.

“Roads and streets of our city have been a big priority for our residents and it’s great to see these works commencing,” Cr McRae said.

“The main key for me is the wonderful engagement we can have with the citizens of Orange by getting them to tell us where the issues are, and I’d encourage all residents to look at the Your Say Orange website because that does provide a list of all the projects, and a really great way to engage with the information about what’s going to be worked on, or raise issues that need to be addressed.”

“It’s been a steep learning curve and I have learnt a lot about the processes and a lot of information about road building, but it does come back as a councillor to being responsive to what the community wants and to continue to work with our wonderful council staff to make sure those priorities are pushed through.”

New councillor Tony Mileto said road-building is a crucial part of the council’s work.

“These projects are vitally important because people expect to have decent and safe roads within this city I think we’re working towards that objective at the moment,” Cr Mileto said.

“If we have heavy traffic going on those roads, they need to be built for that purpose. We need to do the research. We need to do the core samples and make sure that those roads are suitable for the purpose intended. And with some of the stuff I’ve seen so far since I’ve been on council we’re working towards that.”

Work on an industrial section of Lords Place, south, from Gardiner Road began on Tuesday with work happening at night, to reduce the impact on businesses.

Council road crews and specialist sealing contractors are working on this project.

A specialized fabric seal will be placed on Sunday 7 October as day works, with the hot mix asphalt contractor completing work on Monday and Tuesday night October 16 and 17.

“We’ve tried to minimise the impact on businesses as much as we can by completing the majority of the work during the evenings and on Sunday.

“We appreciate there are nearby residents who may have been affected by the noise but we have all hands on deck to get the work completed as soon as practically possible."

“This section of road is well and truly due for an upgrade and it is a busy section of road for many businesses and their customers,” Cr Kidd said.

Other highlights for this season include an upgrade of Leeds Parade from Margaret Street through to the Northern Distributor Road, a roundabout at the Icely Road, Winter Street and Wakeford Street intersection.

The list of road projects and expected time frames can be found on this section of the Your Say Orange site.

28 July 2017

Cargo Road, Leeds Parade and Forest Road are at the top of Orange City Council’s road works hit list this financial year.

Infrastructure Policy Committee Chair Glenn Taylor said more than $17 million had been allocated to the city’s road network over the coming road building season.

“Everyone will have noticed a difference to the roads after the latest road building season wrapped up, and this one will be no different.

“It’s no secret Cargo Road, Leeds Parade and Forest Road are in need of an upgrade and I’m sure the community will be thrilled to see those projects finished.”

The Forest Road upgrade includes 1400 metres from the Southern Feeder Road intersection, alongside Sir Jack Brabham Park to the hospital entrance.

As well as an upgrade of the road, the funding includes street lighting and the construction of parking alongside Jack Brabham sports fields and provision for an entrance into the proposed new private hospital.

The Leeds Parade upgrade includes a rehabilitation from Margaret Street through to the Northern Distributor Road.

Cargo Road will receive pavement strengthening, drainage works and a new seal from east of Neals Lane to the city boundary but also a hotmix seal from Whitton Lane to Ploughmans Lane.

“Those three roads are crucial,” Cr Taylor said

“One takes to people to the hospital, another is a thoroughfare to the North Orange Bypass and the third is an entrance to the city.

“On top of those high profile locations, we’ll be tackling upgrades in Lords Place, Ophir Road, the North Orange Bypass, Wicks Road and Kite Street.

“We’ll also be doing rehabilitation work at Hill Street, Moulder Street and sections of Anson Street.

“We’re not on top of the roads yet but we’re certainly making a noticeable difference.

“There’s a real focus on footpaths this year too but it doesn’t mean the roads will be taking a back seat.

“In the last two budgets we’ve delivered about $26 million worth of road upgrades for Orange.

“About 5 years ago Orange nearly ran out of water and we sorted that, we then went to work on the roads and we’re getting there, now we’re hearing loud and clear from the community the footpaths need to take a priority.

“We’re listening and we’re doing.”

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The following is a list of proposed road projects to be completed during the current financial year ( 2017/18).

This list of projects is subject to a range of variables such as weather and availability of resources. The availability of external contractors who are all involved with record expenditure on roads projects across NSW.

• Lords Place – Gardiner Road to the end of Lords Place – rehabilitation* and hotmix.
• Ophir Road – First crossing and the next 140m- rehabilitation and spray seal.
• Kite Street- Hill Street to Sampson Street- rehabilitation and removal of a dip in the road at the Clinton Street intersection.
• North Orange Bypass – Anson Street to Clergate Road – Hotmix reconstruction** and street lighting at the intersection.
• Leeds Parade – Margaret Street to Northern Distributor Road – Rehabilitate and seal (subject to design work).
• Burrendong Way – Northern Distributor Road Wiradjuri Way – Widening, reconstruction and spray seal.
• Cargo Road – Whitton Lane to Ploughmans Lane- Widening, reconstruction and a hot mix seal, sub soil drainage works towards the boundary.
• Wicks Road – full length – Form pavement and spray seal
• Canobolas Road causeway – reconstruct causeway with piped culvert.
• Forest Road – Southern Feeder Road to the hospital- Widening, reconstruction, hotmix seal and traffic lights at the main hospital entrance.
• Forest Road bridge duplication
• Southern Feeder Road – Huntley Road to Elsham Avenue (subject to grant funding)
• Elsham Avenue – Leewood Drive to Ash Street – hotmix.
• William Street from March to Byng St

The following roads will be rehabilitated and then given a spray seal.

• Hill Street – Moulder to Warrendine Street
• Anson Street – at Lister Drive and at Phillip Street

The following is a list of roads expected to receive a re-seal.

• Aminya Place- Larella To End
• Attunga Place-Kurim To End
• Banksia Street-Racecourse To Beech
• Barrett Street-Kalkadoon To Beech
• Boyd Place-Ploughmans To Wiare
• Burreburry Crescent Wentworth (West) To Wentworth (East)
• Clergate Road-Auberson To Pearce
• Cypress Street-Entire Street
• Elliott Close-Torulosa To End
• Emily Place-Annabelle To End
• Forest Road-Tynan To Grevillea
• Forest Road-Stephen To Sharp
• Frost Street-Coronation To Wentworth
• Larry Dwyer Way-Caleula To Woodward
• Laurel Avenue-Valerie To End
• Markham Avenue-End To Morobe
• Melville Place-Anson to End
• Nunkeri Place-Yvonne To Mirral
• Spring Street-March to Byng
• Spring Street-Jindaleee to Amaroo
• Steels Lane-Line Pine to Carlton
• Turner Crescent-Cianfrano to Turner
• Wrights Lane-Mount Pleasant to Canobolas

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* The most common road renewal technique that Orange City Council uses is called Pavement Rehabilitation.

Pavement rehabilitation or 'Stabilising' involves-

• removing the surface
• the pavement gravel is pulverised by a road reclaimer machine.
• a binder is added for strength, and the pavement is watered and re-compacted
• a surface seal of either asphalt or sprayed seal is applied.

** A Reconstruction is the replacement of the entire existing pavement structure.

BYPASS: Orange City Council’s Infrastructure Chair Glenn Taylor says the bypass is value for money.

• Maxwell Ave from Tobruk St (south) to Brunswick St (This job needs to be completed in school holidays to minimise disruption to Glenroi Heights Public School. It will be completed in the next warm school holidays)
• Maxwell Ave from Moad St to Tobruk(north) (This job needs to be completed in school holidays to minimise disruption to Glenroi Heights Public School. It will be completed in the next warm school holidays).

30 June 2017

A new roundabout at the busy intersection of Woodward and Moulder Streets in Orange is already improving driver safety in the city.

The $635,000 Black Spot project was fully funded by the Australian Government, with Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester describing the upgrade as a ‘congestion buster’.

“This new roundabout has been designed to enable more free flowing traffic in an area known for congestion and risky motorist behaviour,” Mr Chester said.

“Road accidents cause an enormous amount of strain on communities and emergency services, and upgrades like this one help reduce incidents while providing a more efficient, stress free trip through the Orange CBD.”

Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee said the new roundabout proved how valuable the Black Spot program was at the local level.

“By directly and fully funding these works, we’ve improved local road safety and eased the financial burden on Orange City Council, which was able to build the new roundabout and put in line marking, lighting and the necessary signage,” Mr Gee said.

“This will ease traffic flow for tourists and local motorists travelling through the CBD, who know how frustrating queuing in the Moulder Street approach can be as they wait for a break in Woodward Street traffic.”

Orange Mayor John Davis OAM was delighted the project had been delivered on time and on-budget following the start of work in mid-April this year.

“I know there’s been some impact on a number of local business while passing traffic in Moulder Street was affected, and I thank them for their patience while the new roundabout was built,” Cr Davis said.

“I know they’ll be as happy as everyone else who uses this intersection that’s it’s now a lot safer and that traffic will be turning with added safety. It’s good for the Council to work in partnership with the Australian Government to deliver important grassroots infrastructure like this new roundabout.”

"It makes sense that there'll be more passing trade for businesses, if it's easier to turn in and out of Moulder St because of this roundabout."

Local business impact

"I'd also like to pay tribute to the work of local business Forefront Services who were the contractors for this project," John Davis said. "Over the 10 weeks of this project there were between 12 and 38 people working on the site each day... All locals and local contractors who picked up work because of this project."

The Australian Government fully funded the $635,000 project, which was delivered by Orange City Council.

The roundabout was funded under the 2016-17 round of the Black Spot Programme. A further 52 Black Spot projects across New South Wales will be delivered in 2017–18.

OPEN FOR TRAFFIC : Checking out the new roundabout are Forefront staff (l. to r.) Ross Theobold, Tim McAlister and Anthony Redmond, together with Member for Calare Andrew Gee and Mayor John Davis.

In its latest road safety initiative, Orange City Council has started installing a network of traffic 'blisters' at problem-intersections around Orange.

The corners were chosen because of their high number of road accidents.

At each selected corner, a mix of traffic 'blisters' that stretch out into the road-way has been installed alongside pedestrian refuge islands.

SAFER : Find out how to make the most of the extra safety features of traffic blisters in Orange by watching this quick video clipThe new system of traffic signs, refuge islands and blisters has been funded by the Australian Government through its 'Black Spot' program.

The blisters are designed so that :

• a driver, turning into the way of passing traffic, will stop further out into the wide streets of Orange then previously. This gives a much clearer view of oncoming cars.
• the narrower path between the blister and a refuge island in the middle of the road, gives a clearer indication of where a turning car should aim.
• the narrower 'lane' between the blister and the centre traffic island also slows the speed of passing traffic, reducing the chance of accidents.

29 May 2017

Orange City Council’s construction of a new roundabout at the corner of Moulder and Woodward Streets is making progress with a new round of temporary changes to traffic-flow now under way at the site.

The new roundabout is being built by Orange City Council with $635,000 funding from the Australian Government’s Black Spot program. The intersection was chosen because of its accident record.

Orange City Council’s Infrastructure Committee chair, Cr Glenn Taylor, is pleased with the project’s signs of progress.

“Previously the traffic in Woodward Street was channeled into two lanes on the eastern side of the road, while the new roundabout is built on the western side of the road,” Cr Glenn Taylor said.

“Now the western half of the roundabout has been completed, so the construction site is switching to the eastern half of the intersection. Traffic in Woodward Street has moved to the western half of the road.”

PROGRESS : Infrastructure Committee chair , Cr Glenn Taylor is pleased with the the latest progress at Orange's newest roundabout.

“The big difference is that access to that end of Moulder Street has to be completely closed at the Woodward Street intersection. Drivers in Woodward Street now can't turn into Moulder. Drivers in Moulder will be stopped by detour signs at Sampson Street.

“There are clearly marked detours in place. There’s been letter-box drops for residents and staff have talked face to face with neighbourhood businesses. All these business will be open as usual. We realise there’s going to be inconvenience, but we’re asking for their patience in the interests of the long term value of getting this new roundabout built.”

“Regular users of that intersection know how long you can sit in Moulder Street waiting for a break in the Woodward Street traffic. That’s why this corner has attracted ‘Black Spot’ funding. Once the roundabout is finished, that’s going to do a lot to ease traffic flow in Moulder Street at that intersection.”

“Weather permitting that corner will be closed to Moulder Street for four to five weeks, so we’re asking drivers who use that intersection regularly to think ahead and plan for alternative routes.

VIDEO UPDATE : This was the scene in mid-May as work continued on the new project.

UPGRADE: One section of the north Orange bypass is expected to reopen for traffic on Monday next week.

Work is under way on the latest stage of Orange’s City Council record roads upgrade, with crews beginning work on the eastern section of the bypass between Icely Rd and the Mitchell Highway.

Orange City Council plans to spend $18 million this financial year improving the quality of local roads, and with temperatures starting to drop, council crews and contractors are busy at a number of locations.

The latest stage of the bypass involves removing the damaged surface and digging 310 mm down into the top layer of the road pavement.

The gravel will be stabilised by adding cement harders before a new seal is added. New drainage channels have already added on the sides of the roadway.

The work on the eastern end of the bypass work is one of five sites around Orange where crews are working to upgrade local roads.

The new hotmix section has already been completed on the section of the bypass between Icely Road and the Ophir Road roundabout, and a final layer of hot mix will be added on the section between Escort Way the Mitchell Highway.

In William Street hot mix has been applied to the street’s centre lanes and work is about to start on the gravel-bitumen surface on the parking lanes.

In Clergate Road, there’s about another week‘s work left to install 300 mm drainage pipes alongside the roadway before work on the new surface begins.

In Burrendong Way retaining walls are being built adjacent to the next section of the road to be upgraded.

Drivers in Canobolas Road are now making the most of the recent re-sealing work which was finished there last week.

We’ve started the upgrade of Ophir Road between the roundabout and the Resource Recovery Centre.

And work on a new roundabout at the Woodward Street and Moulder Street intersection has begun with a realignment of the Kenna Street Wentworth Avenue intersection well underway.

REALIGNED: The intersection between Kenna Street and Wentworth Avenue is being realigned to make it safer.