Tumut intersection upgrade

Work on the new 50-metre roundabout at the Gocup Road intersection with Snowy Mountains Highway is planned to start in early 2023 as earthworks at the site continue up to Christmas.

Major earthworks started in August 2022 and have progressed despite wet weather challenges at the site.

Work will resume in early January with more earthworks on the Gocup Road side of the site before work starts on building the roundabout, which is planned in February-March, weather permitting.

The intersection will re-open to two-way traffic during the Christmas-New Year period with some traffic management still in place.

Traffic control, including single lane closures and reduced speed limits, will be in place when work resumes in the new year and may affect travel times.

Capper Street closed in early November 2022 for improved safety and efficiency of the project. It will remain closed for the duration of the project.

The project is expected to be finished in mid-2023, weather permitting.

Watch the project update on this project web page.

Transport for NSW is building a new roundabout to address identified safety and traffic efficiency concerns for the Tumut community and all transport customers.

Capper Street will close at the intersection with the Snowy Mountains Highway from Monday 7 November for the duration of the project which is expected to be finished in mid-2023, weather permitting.

The change in traffic conditions include an alternative route for school buses and traffic changes around Clarke Street and Carey Street.

Local residents only will be allowed access. There will be no school drop-off and pick-up available in Capper Street. This will help minimise traffic congestion and to keep the area safe during the closure.

No parking signs will be installed at the Capper Street and Clarke Street intersection to allow buses to complete a U-turn and return to the bus stop at McAuley Catholic Central School.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, follow the directions of signs and traffic control, and to allow an extra 10 minutes travel time.

Traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will remain in place for the safety of workers and motorists.

Traffic lights and 24/7 traffic control have been in place at the intersection since 20 September when the four approaches to the intersection from Gocup Road, Snowy Mountains Highway and Capper Street were reduced to one lane.

Single lane closures, reduced speed limits and traffic control will remain in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the project is finished.

Transport for NSW is building a roundabout at the Snowy Mountains Highway and Gocup Road intersection.

Following a strong push from the community to make further changes to improve safety at the Snowy Mountains Highway intersection with Gocup Road, Transport for NSW engaged the Centre for Road Safety to investigate the best possible safety outcome for the community.

Options investigated as part of the review were traffic lights, closing Capper Street, raising the intersection, closing Gocup Road and moving the intersection.

A roundabout was determined to be the best solution.

A roundabout was rated highest in safety performance of all options considered, best addressing the community's safety concerns.

Roundabouts help make intersections safer by:

• reducing vehicle speeds, making it easier to choose a safe gap in traffic
• minimising the impact angles of approach, leading to lower severity crashes, have fewer conflict points and direct motorists in one direction
• reducing the risk of being seriously injured by up to 85 per cent.

Studies have shown roundabouts are safer than traffic lights, improve traffic flow and are more efficient for heavy vehicles.

A roundabout at this location will:

• improve safety for all road users
• improve traffic flow and efficiency, particularly heavy vehicles
• improve connections to regional communities.
• include walking paths and pedestrian access

Transport for NSW began safety improvements at the intersection of Snowy Mountains Highway and Gocup Road at Tumut in April 2020 to improve safety and efficiency for all road users.

Work included installing vehicle-activated signs to improve safety, warning road users to slow down and providing advanced notice of conditions ahead, formalising the traffic arrangement, vegetation removal, upgrading line marking and signage and installing medians, kerbs and safety barrier.

These improvements, combined with installation of a roundabout, will assist in reducing the number of crashes, improving safety for the people of Tumut.

We understand the community has safety concerns at this intersection and we are prioritising installation of the new roundabout.

With possible impacts to Tumut wetlands, areas of heritage significance, nearby properties and a number of utilities being located within the project footprint, a large amount of planning has been carried out.

Transport has worked collaboratively with external agencies and key stakeholders to prioritise and coordinate activities.

Following the first stages of work, major construction on the roundabout will be carried out and will include:

• resurfacing the road to prepare for the construction of the new roundabout. This includes widening the road shoulder to improve sight visibility and allow access for large vehicles to turn
• building a new 50-metre-wide roundabout
• installing kerb, gutters and drainage.

Minor works will take about one month to complete and will include:

• carrying out line marking
• installing road signs and safety barriers
• removing the work site.

We will continue to keep the community and stakeholders informed about the Snowy Mountains Highway and Gocup Road intersection upgrade as the project progresses.

• December 2022 frequently asked questions
• September 2021 frequently asked questions
• December 2020 frequently asked questions

• December 2021 community update

  Consultation feedback on the Tumut intersection upgrade.

• September 2021 community update
  Transport for NSW invites you to have your say.

• May 2021 community update
  Planning continues on Tumut intersection upgrade.

• December 2020 community update
  Tumut intersection upgrade.

• November 2021 submissions report

  Tumut intersection upgrade.

• Addendum REF - March 2022
• September 2021 review of environmental factors

  Gocup Road intersection upgrade.

• 28 September 2021

  Have your say on design for new Tumut roundabout.

• 20 May 2021
  Gocup Roundabout on track for 2021 start.

• 7 December 2020

  Concept design unveiled for Gocup Roundabout.

• 20 October 2020
  Community to help shape a safer Snowy Valleys intersection.