Safety work kicks off at Wilfred Barrett Drive
11 June 2021
Motorists will soon be enjoying safer journeys on Wilfred Barrett Drive through Magenta and The Entrance, as work to widen the road and roll out new rumble strips and centre lines kicks off.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government was investing $22.5 million through the Safer Roads program to reduce the risk and severity of crashes for the more than 17,000 motorists who use the road daily.
“Wilfred Barrett Drive is a key route connecting The Entrance to Noraville and further to the northern parts of the Central Coast,” Mr Toole said.
“This project will not only ensure the thousands of motorists using it daily get home safely at the end of each day, but it has also generated work for 60 locals and contractors throughout construction.
“We know how fast the Central Coast is growing, which is why the NSW Government is investing in upgrades like this to ensure that our road network is stronger, safer and more reliable for everyone who uses it.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said work would focus on a four-kilometre section of Wilfred Barrett Drive between Pelican Beach Road and Wyuna Avenue.
“The upgrade includes widening the road to provide a one-metre-wide central median as well as three-metre-wide southbound shoulders and roadside safety barriers,” Mr Crouch said.
“Rumble strips will also be installed along the centre and edges of the road to alert drivers when they are drifting out of their lane and off the road or into oncoming traffic.
“These safety measures have been shown to reduce fatalities and injuries caused by head-on crashes by up to 65 per cent which is why the NSW Government is making a significant funding contribution on this notorious road.”
The project will also provide right turn bays into Pelican Beach Road and the car park for the Red Gum Trail walking track.
To reduce impact to motorists, work will be carried out from 7pm to 5am from Sunday to Thursday, with some work activities intermittently carried out during the day on weekdays. A reduced speed limit, lane and shoulder closures and stop/slow traffic arrangements will be in place during work hours for the safety of motorists and workers.
Work is expected to be completed by mid-2022, weather permitting.
For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.