Mitchell Highway safety upgrades move on to Larras Lee
Work is about to start on the third project in a $20.079 million upgrade package of the Mitchell Highway, delivering improved safety and a smoother ride for all motorists in the state’s Central West.
The 1.4-kilometre Larras Lee project is one of five parcels of work on the Mitchell Highway between Orange and Wellington being funded by the NSW Government through the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program, and will be the largest project delivered so far.
Transport for NSW Director Maintenance and Delivery West Craig Matthews said the work at Larras Lee followed the completion of a culvert extension and shoulder widening along a 270-metre stretch of highway at Apsley, and upgrade of a 700-metre section of highway with a wider road shoulder and new audio tactile line marking (rumble strips) at Cundumbul.
“Ongoing favourable weather conditions have helped our hard-working crews deliver the Apsley and Cundumbul projects ahead of schedule and their attention can now turn to the bigger parcel of work planned at Larras Lee, about 10 kilometres north of Molong,” Mr Matthews said.
“The NSW Government has set aside $4.853 million for the Larras Lee project which includes the installation of new roadside barriers and centreline wire rope to reduce the incidence of off-road and head-on collisions, more rumble strips to alert drivers if they leave their lane, shoulder widening and a new pull-over bay, culvert upgrades for improved drainage, and new sealing, kerb and guttering.
“In total we’re delivering five distinct parcels of work between Orange and Wellington that will benefit the thousands of freight operators, tourists and residents who travel this key regional link every day.
“Along with the work at Apsley, Cundumbul and Larras Lee, safety upgrades are also planned outside of Molong and at Neurea. All five projects have been identified as vital work to boost the efficiency and safety of the Mitchell Highway.”
Work at Larras Lee will get under way on Tuesday 1 April and is expected to take four months to complete, weather permitting.
Work hours will be 7am to 5pm on weekdays with five additional Saturday shifts across the project between 7am to 1pm.
There will be changed traffic conditions in place including single lane closures, intermittent stopping and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h during work hours, with a 60 km/h limit outside of work hours.
Motorists are advised to keep to the reduced speed limits, follow the directions of traffic control and signage, and allow up to five minutes of additional travel time.
The Towards Zero Safer Roads Program is a road safety infrastructure and speed management treatment program that aims to deliver sustainable and long-term reductions in road trauma through upgrades to the existing road network.
More information is available on the Transport for NSW website.