Orange's newest roundabout at the intersection of Hill and Moulder streets has opened to traffic.
OPEN: Orange's newest roundabout opens for traffic. Taking a close look, Member for Calare Andrew Gee, Orange City Councillor Jack Evans and Council technical Service Director, Ian Greenham.
In short: Local road safety has been boosted by new intersection upgrade.
The new intersection upgrades the site where six road accidents had happened over the latest five year assessment period.
What's next: Drivers are urged to take it easy while they get used to the new intersection.
Orange City Council's Infrastructure Committee chair, Cr Jack Evans has welcomed the completion of the project.
"This project was funded by the Australian Government's Black Spot Program because of this intersection's road accident record," Cr Jack Evans said.
"This new roundabout will smooth traffic flow and make the intersection safer for both drivers and pedestrians. I'm encouraging drivers to take it easy in the coming weeks while they get used to the new traffic patterns.
"The project ran into some wet weather and had some problems with the ground conditions, which meant crews finished two three weeks behind schedule, but the end result will make a huge difference to traffic in one of Orange's busiest streets."
Member for Calare Andrew Gee says the new roundabout is a great example of how Council works with other tier of government to deliver major projects.
"Our local councils can't be expected to carry out major roadworks like this by themselves," Mr Andrew Gee said. "Partnering with other tiers of government is vital and this $900,000 from the Federal Government is money very well spent. It's a great local infrastructure investment."
"Roads around the Orange CBD are seeing a steady rise in traffic and they're only going to get busier as time goes on. This new roundabout will make this heavily used intersection much safer and improve traffic flows along this key transport artery."
The project also included the construction of nearby concrete footpaths, relocating power poles, new trees and landscaping, new stormwater drainage, water main renewals and line marking.
Orange City Council received $900,000 in funding from the Australian Government's Black Spot Program to upgrade the intersection.
