Orange Mayor Jason Hamling has welcomed news the State Government will take on ownership and maintenance of Orange's northern bypass.
As of Thursday 2 March, the Northern Distributor Road was reclassified, from a Local Road under Council's care and management to a State Road.
Council has been working with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) on the details of the transfer.
Orange Mayor Jason Hamling said the road was a great asset to the Orange community but had for some years provided the function of a state road.
"I am very pleased that TfNSW has recognised this road's status in the NSW road network. This is a great result for Orange City Council and local residents," Cr Hamling said.
"This a very important road for the local community, and the transfer is a step that both this and past Councils have pushed for over many years."
"For the people of Orange this puts our primary heavy vehicle transport corridor in the hands of a tier of government with the much greater resources needed for ongoing upkeep."
TfNSW are now responsible for the central travel lanes, medians, roundabouts, line marking, signage and traffic signals of the Northern Distributor Road.
Northern Distributor Road will retain its name but will also be the route of the Mitchell Highway. While Summer Street is no longer the route of the Mitchell Highway, TfNSW will continue to be responsible for maintaining Summer Street and Bathurst Road.
"There's been a huge amount of work by staff to provide the information needed for the transfer to happen," Cr Hamling said.
Under the new agreement Council will continue to be responsible for the management of road verges on the bypass.
