Intersection upgrade is a pretty good reason to celebrate
Crews have finalised their work to widen the highway near the intersection with Pretty Plains Road to provide a dedicated left turning lane for traffic turning into Pretty Plains Road.
Transport for NSW Regional Director West Alistair Lunn said the upgraded intersection provided motorists, including heavy vehicles that take much longer to decelerate, an improved opportunity to safely slow down as they prepare to turn from the Mitchell Highway into Pretty Plains Road.
“This is a very busy intersection on the Mitchell Highway between Bathurst and Orange and for years motorists have been asking for something to be done to make it safer for all road users,” Mr Lunn said.
“The problem has always been that motorists wanting to turn from the highway into Pretty Plains Road have had to rapidly decelerate from 100 km/h, running the risk of vehicles behind them not reacting quickly enough and creating further hazards.
“Now, turning vehicles can safely leave the highway and continue slowing to make the turn into Pretty Plains Road, while vehicles continuing along the highway won’t be impacted.
“The intersection upgrade also includes new line-marking and the installation of new safety barrier.”
Mr Lunn said the Mitchell Highway between Bathurst and Orange was a key regional route for locals, holiday makers and freight operators, and one of the busiest in the state’s western region.
The Pretty Plains Road intersection upgrade is just the latest in a series of safety improvements delivered by Transport for NSW in recent years at several locations along this 50-kilometre section of the highway.
“This project is part of $95.9 million Australian and NSW Government funded safety upgrades between Bathurst and Orange which started with the East Lucknow upgrade completed in July 2018, as well as work at Oakey Creek Lane completed in October 2019; Guyong in September 2022; Vittoria East and East Guyong in December 2023; and Vittoria Curve completed in May this year,” Mr Lunn said.
“The upgrades have featured a range of safety measures including the installation of flexible safety barriers; installation of audio tactile line marking (rumble strips) to alert drivers when they have crossed the centre line or run off the road; wider lanes and centre lines; new and upgraded turning lanes; improved drainage; and removal of some roadside vegetation to decrease the risk of black ice during the winter months.
“It has been a long process, and we acknowledge there have been impacts on the travelling public in that area, but we remain committed to delivering the safest possible regional road network and will continue looking for other areas of improvement.”
Find more information on the Mitchell Highway safety upgrades between Bathurst and Orange.