Funds for road upgrade detailed design

Tamworth Region Mayor Col Murray expects the detailed design for the upgrade of Goonoo Goonoo Road will be shovel ready before the end of this financial year after the State Government today announced funding.    

Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, announced $152,000 in funding for the detailed design of the Goonoo Goonoo Road upgrade from Calala Lane to Jack Smyth Drive describing it as "great news for Tamworth".

He said the 1.5 kilometre section of road had been a bottleneck in the south of the city for years and taking forward the design to a ‘shovel-ready’ project was a positive step.

“As the city grows this stretch of road becomes more of a problem, that’s why we’ve got to fix it," he said.

“Today’s announcement of $152,000 from Roads and Maritime Service and funding from Tamworth Regional Council will help complete the design phase, so it makes us shovel ready as soon as money for the project becomes available.

“I have been fighting for this upgrade, making representations on behalf of Council.”

Cr Murray said Council has long shared the Government’s vision to see this section of road prioritised for an upgrade and has already delivered preliminary design concepts.

“With the green light given to proceed to the more detailed design phase, we expect to have designs for the Calala Lane to Craigends Lane section shovel-ready before the end of this financial year,' Cr Murray said.

"It’s also promising that landscaping for this important arrival zone is being given consideration in the design. Not only do we want a better driver experience, enhanced landscaping will serve as nice welcome to Tamworth.”

The design of the upgrade consists of:

•             Widening each carriageway to dual travel lanes, and parking lanes in each direction. The upgrade also includes a median to separate the two carriage ways;

•             Intersection upgrades at Craigends Lane, The Ringers Road and Greg Norman Drive are also be a feature of the detailed design

•             Kerb and gutter and underground storm water drainage;

•             Street lighting; and,

•             Landscaping which will ensure a quality arrival experience into Tamworth.