Construction of important safety, accessibility and streetscape upgrades at the Wentworth Street and Govetts Leap Road intersection in Blackheath Village Centre will start on Monday, 18 March 2024.
The intersection improvements will provide three raised pedestrian crossings, new lighting, curbs, paving, pedestrian ramps and sympathetic landscaping. A bespoke ironstone wall on the north-west of the intersection, known locally as 'Post Office Corner', will also be constructed.
Blue Mountains Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said, "A lot of important work has now been delivered in Blackheath to improve amenity, safety and accessibility in the village centre. The intersection upgrade is the concluding piece of this upgrade package."
Given the location of the upgrade work, there will be some disruption to vehicle and pedestrian movement, including detours.
During the intersection works:
- Temporary traffic and pedestrian controls will be in place, including fencing for public safety.
- Community facilities located on the 'Post Office Corner' will be unavailable, including the Telstra public phone booth, drinking fountain, benches and community notice board. A temporary location for the community notice board is currently being investigated.
- A number of parking spaces around the intersection will be unavailable at times.
- Current pedestrian ramps will be impacted. However, temporary access ramps will be provided at road crossing points.
Some night works are also planned during specific parts of the upgrade process, to reduce the impact of construction during the day.
Night works generally commence at 6pm and are competed within a few hours. Council is currently working with the contractor who is delivering the upgrades to finalise a detailed program of works which will guide the construction process.
"Minimising the impact of the work for residents and visitors is always top of mind when we consider how best to deliver construction projects in our busy village centres.
"Getting key parts of this work done when there's less activity around the intersection not only helps to get the upgrades completed faster but reduces the impact on residents and visitors during business hours."
The intersection upgrade is expected to be completed in July 2024 (weather permitting) and detours are expected to be in place intermittently from March to June.
For further detail and to keep up to date with progress on the intersection upgrade, visit: www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/blackheath-village-upgrade
Photo: Aerial photo of Blackheath Village Centre.
