Drivers in the Oberon region can travel safer thanks to a $1.965 million upgrade recently completed along Abercrombie road which connects Oberon to Black Springs and beyond. The upgrade included stabilisation of failed sections of pavement and resealing of the road.
Audio tactile line marking was laid to reduce the likelihood of crashes associated with fatigue as well as distraction. The audio tactile line markings alert a driver or rider when they are drifting out of their lane, by generating a distinct sound and vibration when their vehicle tyre comes into contact with it.
Flexible safety barriers were also added to redirect vehicles back into their lane reducing the risk of them hitting oncoming vehicles or a roadside hazard. Flexible safety barriers can reduce the severity of high-risk crashes by up to 95 per cent.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole visited the completed works with Oberon Mayor Mark Kellam recently.
“This program is about saving lives on country roads. Our biggest challenge on NSW country roads is preventing fatalities and serious injuries. With upgrades to roads like Abercrombie road we are addressing two key contributors; high risk curves and fatigue.” Mr Toole said.
“In the past 5 years there have been 12 injury crashes on this section of Abercrombie road. The upgrade supports the goal of zero deaths on NSW roads. Abercrombie road is the main connection between Black Springs and Oberon making it an integral thoroughfare that needs to be as safe as possible for drivers.”
The Safer Roads Program is a road safety infrastructure treatment program that delivers sustainable and long-term reductions in road trauma through upgrades of the existing road network. In 2020/21 the program carried out 203 road safety infrastructure projects across NSW to the value of $258 million.