Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (PMHC) is continuing its delivery of important regional road upgrades with construction work soon to start on the Stage 1 upgrade of the $10 million Lorne Road project.
Council is now inviting tenders to progress the construction and bitumen sealing of Stage 1 of Lorne Road, which will see 2kms of road upgraded from the westernmost extent of bitumen to Upsalls Creek Crossing.
Construction is set to commence mid-2024 and will be jointly funded by the Australian Government and PMHC.
The mid-year commencement date for Stage 1 will allow for completion of the current Comboyne Road reconstruction works, which are due to finish in June.
Detailed design work for Stage 2 is now also complete and, subject to available funding, will see a further 1.85kms of future road construction and bitumen sealing undertaken from Upsalls Creek crossing to Koppin Yarratt Road. PMHC will continue to advocate the importance of this stage with State and Federal levels of government and pursue funding to deliver this upgrade when suitable opportunities arise.
PMHC Group Manager Delivery, Chris Favaloro, said the construction and sealing of these sections of road will enable a smoother and safer journey for residents, and those who use the road as an important freight route.
"We recognise the importance of Lorne Rd and remain committed to upgrading key sections of this connecting passage to improve driver safety," he said.
"While we have progressed concept designs for a third stage for this project from Koppin Yarratt Road to Tipperary Road, we will not continue further planning and investigations at this time due to the estimated construction cost of this section being more than $50 million and the low traffic volume on this section. Council will continue to seek funding opportunities to support the full construction of Stage 2."
Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie MP said he is pleased construction will soon start on the Stage 1 upgrade of the Lorne Road project.
"I was delighted to secure $5 million towards the upgrade of Lorne Road when in Government," he said.
"Lorne Road is a strategic transport route for business and locals, and the unsealed sections are in desperate need of upgrading.
"The landslips, which occurred on the mountain section of Comboyne Road, underscore the need for a safe and efficient secondary access to and from the Comboyne Plateau."
