From Monday, 13 October, there will be no outbound traffic on Mullumbimby Road, including on weekends. Mullumbimby Road will be open to inbound traffic.
Emergency services and school buses will however have full access to Mullumbimby Road. Traffic signals will be in place to stop traffic for emergency services, 24 hours a day.
Drivers leaving Mullumbimby should take alternative routes such as Myocum Road and Coolamon Scenic Drive.
Coolman Scenic Drive will be maintained to cope with extra traffic.
Heavy vehicles should take Myocum Road.
The changes come as Council moves onto the next stage (Stage 2) of the Mullumbimby Road upgrade between The Saddle Road and Gulgan Road. This involves:
- Drainage work on the verges near the Uncle Tom's intersection, including the removal of trees and other vegetation in the road reserve.
- Installation of a new culvert with the aim of improving stormwater flow to Everitts Creek.
- New road surfaces, signage, guardrail installation and line marking.
- Minor road widening in the current road corridor.
Council has looked at every option to keep the road open to two lanes of traffic during this project but it is not possible because sections of the road corridor are narrow, or there is a steep drop or incline on one or both sides.
It is also not possible to have one lane of alternating traffic operating during Stage 2 because of the location of the work near the intersection of Gulgan Road.
Traffic would be queuing on Gulgan Road creating hazards for drivers approaching blind corners and congestion at Tandys Lane.
The approach from Mullumbimby from the crest of the hill would also be hazardous to drivers and workers.
It is not possible to do nightwork during Stage 2 for several reasons including:
- Supply of materials – most material suppliers are restricted to day shift supply.
- Worker safety - it is not safe for staff or equipment to be operated at night on this section of Mullumbimby Road which includes wet, boggy and steep sections.
- Budget constraints – additional equipment hire, lighting, staff and contractor night shifts loading and fatigue management. This has been assessed to cost the project an additional 33 percent.
The upgrade of Mullumbimby Road is a major project that is funded by the NSW and Federal Governments, and Council, to improve road safety and drainage and rebuild flood-damaged sections of the road.
Information about the Mullumbimby Road upgrade is on Council's website.
