Flexible barriers, wide centre lines and rumble strips are among $8.8 million in road safety improvements being carried out on a three-kilometre section of the Mitchell Highway at East Guyong from this Wednesday.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said early work, including tree removal, started in November at the work site one kilometre east of Miskell Road to 500 metres west of Rosser Road.
“There have been a number of serious crashes along this section of the Mitchell Highway in recent years, many of which were cross centre line crashes that resulted in either head-on collisions or cars running off the road,” Mr Toole said.
“Treatments such as flexible barriers, wide centre lines and audio-tactile line markings help reduce the risk and severity of crashes and ensure everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.”
Fencing the project length started in December 2020 and will continue, along with establishment of the work site and utility relocation.
From March, major work to upgrade safety will kick off, involving:
Installation of a flexible safety barriers in the centre median and on both sides of the road;
Installation of rumble strips on the edge and centrelines;
Widening of the road.
“The project will also involve a number of changes to improve safety for all road users, including building new turning lanes at the Mitchell Highway intersections of Rosser Road and Gordon Road,” Mr Toole said.
“Fenton Road access to the highway will be closed as part of this work, and dedicated left and right turn lanes into Miskell Road will be built to improve traffic flow for vehicles continuing along the highway.
“Additionally, a U-turn bay sized to accommodate B-doubles will be built on Gordon Road.”
Changed traffic conditions will be in place across five days from Wednesday 10 February to install temporary traffic barriers at two locations with a detour in place suitable for all vehicles via Blayney during work.
Motorists may also be stopped for up to four minutes from 1.30pm on Thursday 11 February for the safe relocation of power poles.
Road users should follow the direction of traffic controllers and all signs, including reduced speed limits.