Major milestone for roundabout construction

Construction of the New England Highway roundabout near Armidale Regional Airport is reaching a major milestone, with work and traffic diversions about to switch to the other side of the site.

Executive Council staff and project managers yesterday met with the Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, at the $3.2 million project, which has been jointly funded by Armidale Regional Council ($1.2 million), the Federal Government ($1 million) and Roads and Maritime Services NSW ($1 million).

Council’s Director of Operations, Mark Piorkowski, said work was progressing well, with the crew close to completing the first half of the concrete roundabout.

“Once it’s completed, there will be some temporary disruptions to traffic while the detour is moved to the western side of the site,” Mr Piorkowski said.

“Work on that temporary diversion road is likely to begin in about a fortnight.

“This was an opportune time to bring in our project partners and give them an update on the project. It’s also a chance to explain the technology utilised in the project, including the use of fibre-reinforced concrete to help create an robust roundabout structure that will stand up to heavy traffic over many years.”

Mr Joyce said the roundabout construction would help prop up communities experiencing a downturn in trade due to the drought.

“Capital infrastructure such as this is helping draw the wealth back into drought-hit communities across the New England and making sure our towns, as well as our farmers, can see out these incredibly lean times, ” Mr Joyce said.

The new roundabout, approximately 5km south of Armidale, will provide safer access to the Armidale Regional Airport terminal and a link to a proposed industrial subdivision next to the terminal.

The two-lane roundabout will significantly improve traffic flows and safety for motorists on the highway and includes provision for future development on adjacent private land.

For updates on the project, including traffic diversions, visit the Works & Projects page on Council’s website, www.armidaleregional.nsw.gov.au

Published on 27 Sep 2018