20-07-2022
In the coming months, tenders will be called for three significant road projects on the portion of the Tablelands Way known as the Taralga-Oberon Road.
The three projects, all to be completed in the section of road between Taralga and Oberon, include:
- Construction of a new bridge over Burra Burra Creek in Curraweela with road realignment on either side
- Widening a 3.3 km section of the existing roadway to accommodate two lanes of trafficable width and to enhance road safety by the installation of traffic signage, line marking and safety details (from 26.6 km north of Taralga to 29.78 km north of Taralga).
- Improving the existing sharp curve of the road in designated spots with appropriate radius and enhanced road safety by the installation of traffic signage, line marking and safety barriers (two sections of road north of the Wombeyan Caves turn off).
Consultation with residents and property owners has been ongoing in the affected areas and work will not commence until consultation has been completed.
The total cost of the upgrade is $6,584,294, primarily from a Restart NSW Infrastructure Department Grant with a contribution of $329,315 from Upper Lachlan Shire Council.
General Manager Colleen Worthy said that, as part of the Tablelands Way, the section of road between Taralga and Oberon had experienced increased traffic in recent times.
“It remains the main thoroughfare for residents who live north of Taralga, and has an increased load of traffic from travellers. These projects will widen and improve the safety at a number of key areas and will benefit all users,” she said.
Ms Worthy said that recent flooding and storms had also impacted on the road, particularly at the Curraweela causeway.
“Almost every time there’s a degree of flooding, the Curraweela causeway is one of the first places to be hit,” she said.
“Tender for the construction of the new bridge at Curraweela will be called in the coming weeks and will provide some relief to those residents that were recently landlocked between the Abercrombie River and Burra Burra Creek in the recent flood event.
“To minimise flooding impacts, the new bridge will be designed for the 1 in 100-year flood event. “
Mrs Worthy said that these works were part of a long list of works that Council staff have been working on including the tireless attendance of outdoor crews to emergency repair works which continue to arise from the frequent storm events.
Upper Lachlan Shire was included in the most recent natural disaster declaration as a result of the storm on 3 July 2022 that had significant impacts across our road network.