MidCoast Council's latest upgrade to Old Bar Road has been underway since April, with contractors Goldspring Group, about to commence three weeks of night works to complete important asphalting.
The current roadworks are targeting a 700m section of Old Bar Road, from the motorcycle track through to Redbank Cemetery, and includes a full reconstruction of the road pavement, widening of lanes and road shoulders, improved drainage and the installation of guardrails and signage.
Old Bar traffic has been reduced to a single lane under traffic control and reduced speed limits since the commencement of works and will remain this way for the duration of the project due to the need to provide safety clearance between traffic and the work crew.
"Old Bar Road is a busy connector route and we appreciate the community's patience with delays being experienced," said Rhett Pattison, MidCoast Council's Manager of Projects and Engineering.
"We've scheduled this significant part of the project to take place at night, to minimise the impact on traffic and crews will also be doing an upgrade to a previously constructed section of Old Bar Road during this period.
"The first week of the night work will be to repair and improve a section near the Warwiba Road intersection, before moving back to the current work area for two weeks of scheduled overnight shifts."
Crews will use area lighting and active traffic controllers for the night works period from 7pm to 6am, with this stage of works expected to commence from 7 June, weather permitting.
There will be unavoidable, extended delays during this time.
While the use of machinery will generate some degree of noise, the project schedule sees noisier activities being conducted earlier in the evening, and vehicles and machinery being switched off when not in use.
"Rehabilitation on this busy and worn stretch of Old Bar Road now will not only reduce future maintenance costs, but provides local motorists with a smoother and safer route into and out of town," Rhett added.
The project complements completed works at the Saltwater Road intersection and Old Bar CBD in 2020.
To stay updated, visit www.myroadinfo.com.au.
