Work has begun on building a $1.6 million roundabout designed to make the intersection of Thorne Road and Kidman Way in Griffith safer and more efficient.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the roundabout was jointly funded under the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP).
“The HVSPP is an Australian Government initiative to fund infrastructure projects that improve productivity and safety outcomes for heavy vehicle operations across Australia,” Mr McCormack said.
Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley says a series of works in the area is dramatically improving connections for local freight movements and provides greater safety for all road users.
“This latest project will widen and upgrade existing pavement, construct a concrete roundabout and medians; it will also require relocating and installing services such as telecommunications, water, power, streetlights and drainage,” Ms Ley said.
Griffith City Mayor John Dal Broi said the roundabout marked stage 2B of the Griffith Southern Industrial Link (GSIL).
“It’s pretty exciting to be at this stage of the GSIL construction after completing the Bagtown Roundabout last June and the extension to Thorne Road East in January,” Cr Dal Broi said.
As the works progress motorists are encouraged to consider using alternative routes if possible such as Old Willbriggie Road or Murrumbidgee Avenue and to factor in extra travel time.
Thorne Road (Between Sidlow Road and Kidman Way) will be closed to through traffic. Thorne Road West of the Bagtown Roundabout will remain closed except for construction access and local residential traffic that has no alternate access.
For the safety of the workers traffic will be restricted to one lane and reduced to 40 km/h. Portable traffic signals and at times a pilot vehicle will be used to control traffic. During the construction period normal hours of work will be between 6.30am to 5pm, however in rare instances works may need to be performed on Saturdays.
Council is concerned about the unintended impacts that may occur on alternate routes and will monitor Pedley and Beverly Roads during construction. These roads will be closed if traffic increases by 10 per cent.
The estimated completion date for the project is late August 2018, weather permitting.
For more information, link to the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program website.
