GWYDIR Shire Council presented their case for funding of a $6 million heavy vehicle road bypass at Warialda to Roads Minister Duncan Gay at council’s meeting in Warialda on Friday, April 1.
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The Minister was accompanied to the meeting by the Member of Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall, and the Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton.
A proposed 3.6 kilometre bypass would resolve a road freight pinch-point at the intersection of Stephen Street and the Gwydir Highway by taking heavy vehicles from the north of Warialda along a new route to the east of the township, over a new bridge on Warialda Creek and onto the Gwydir Highway.
“This bypass will reduce the travel time for A-double and B-triple road trains travelling from the north of Gwydir Shire, shortening the legal access route onto the Gwydir Highway by 144 kilometres each trip,” Mr Marshall said.
“Currently, the only legal access for these vehicles is via Moree.
“It’ll also remove heavy vehicles from the Warialda CBD and eliminate stock effluent spillage in the middle of town.”
Mr Marshall said council had applied for joint funding from round two of the state government’s Fixing Country Roads Program and the Commonwealth’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, with council to contribute $500,000, and industry also making a financial contribution.