After announcing the major rehabilitation project in December last year, initial construction works are set to start along Tamworth's Carthage Street from Monday 28 April.
Works will be staged in blocks, starting between Brisbane and Fitzroy Streets and will include removing the existing road surface and kerb and guttering in some areas, before being replaced.
Council's Manager Project Planning and Delivery, Mark Gardiner, said this rehabilitation will create a safer route for drivers to travel on.
"This is a heavily used road getting a much-needed restoration. Pavement renewal is essential to extend the life of Carthage Street, but other works like gutter replacement in certain areas will help with stormwater runoff, also contributing to the longevity of the road's lifespan".
The works between Brisbane and Fitzroy Streets will make it necessary to detour traffic for about two months, with access for local traffic only. Once work on this block is complete, works will continue between Fitzroy and White Streets.
Along the stretch of the road, there will also be various safety improvements installed.
Mr Gardiner said: "We're pleased to have some safety improvements taking place as part of this project including the installation of turning lanes at the Carthage and White Street intersection, and a wombat crossing along with other pedestrian safety improvements to be constructed near St Nicholas' Primary School later this year. Additional funding will be sought for other safety improvements, however it is great that we can plan for these safety upgrades now".
As part of the rehabilitation, existing trees along Carthage Street (between Brisbane and Kitchener Streets) were looked at by a specialist to determine if they had any impact on the kerb and guttering, underground infrastructure or road pavement.
Based on the assessment, eight out of the 44 trees will need to be removed and replaced with a more suitable species due to their root systems impacting the structure of the kerb and gutter.
The scope of the project will see rehabilitation works along the approximate 2.5-kilometre length of Carthage Street from Kitchener Street to Bligh Street.
The Carthage Street Rehabilitation project is being funded through a combination of Council's Water Reserve and Asset Renewal Reserve budgets.
