A week ahead of schedule with Otho Street works, the Inverell Shire Council have changed their traffic management plan in an effort to keep businesses accessible.
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Originally the entire northern lane was to be closed once work began on the median strip. Instead, on Saturday, only the section from Evans Street to the pedestrian crossing was closed. The change came after discussions at a Chamber of Commerce meeting last week on how to limit disruptions to local businesses.
“There’s a lot more parking available to shoppers and in front of businesses,” manager of civil engineering Justin Pay said.
“(We’re) just really pushing people to get down there and support local businesses and use the road.”
He said the council will monitor the method to ensure safety for both the workers and the public. If it remains safe, it will be used in reverse when work moves to the Byron Street section.
Work continues on the pedestrian crossing today, as trenching for the centre median strip begins. Mr Pay said that although wet weather is disruptive, it has come after the road near the crossing was sealed, and will only have a minor impact.
Plane trees that were removed from the crossing area have now been replaced with three chanticleer pear trees. The council is working with tree providers on an exact date for the first batch of pin oak trees, to be planted in the centre median.
“At this point in time, we’re looking towards late March or early April towards the planting of the pin oak trees,” Mr Pay said.