Work will begin soon on a new $1 million roundabout which will improve traffic flow to and from Mount Panorama during major motor racing events.
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Bathurst Regional Council's director of engineering Doug Patterson said there is already a smaller roundabout in place at the intersection of Ray Bant Drive, Peter Gannon Parade and Panorama Avenue, but it will be replaced with a much larger, two-lane one.
This is just one more project in a bundle of $6 million worth of work carried out at the iconic circuit.
Mr Patterson said facility improvements are essential to maintain the precinct up to an appropriate standard that will ensure the continued success of events now and in the future.
The new roundabout will be located just before the entrance to the Mount Panorama circuit.
It will have four roads branching from it.
Mr Patterson said the new roundabout's size will substantially improve the flow of traffic approaching and leaving Mount Panorama.
"It will cater for traffic and large vehicles more successfully and will also improve the aesthetics of the entry to the circuit," Mr Patterson said.
"Most importantly, it will make it easier to manage traffic flow during major events like the Bathurst 1000 and the Bathurst 12 hour event."
Mr Patterson said council is still finalising the design and he hopes work will get underway soon.
The project will be done in several stages.
Mr Patterson said a substantial amount of service relocation will be involved in replacing the roundabout.
He said council will make a start on moving the services prior to the 12 hour, then move straight into construction once the event is over. The centre of the roundabout will also be landscaped.
The projects were made possible by a $2.97 million injection of funds from the federal government under its Regional Development Australia Fund which has been matched by Bathurst Regional Council on a dollar for dollar basis.
Other improvement works carried out include:
n Chase campground additional 437 camping sites and road access;
n Construction and sealing of main access route through Chase campground;
n CSU car park gravel road network construction throughout;
n Max Cameron campground gravel road construction for all campsites;
n Pedestrian access improvements from upper Chase campground.
