In addition, lower George Street, between Stanley Street near the Macquarie River and Durham Street, will have three  lanes in both directions to allow traffic quicker access to the central business district.

The upgrades would include widening the Edgell low level bridge.    

These are just some of the initiatives on Bathurst Regional Council’s agenda to ensure access roads to the city from Kelso can cope with a growing population over the next three decades.

Modelling shows that by 2035 there will be 4810 new dwellings at Kelso, boosting the area’s population by around 10,000 people.

Without forward planning to put infrastructure in place to cope with the growth, there is every chance of traffic gridlock during peak hour traffic.

Council believes it has come up with a solution with the adoption of the Kelso Traffic Access Study.

It details major changes for the local road network recommended by specialist consultants Aurecon.

According to the report, the aim of the study was to identify collector/distributor roads, intersection treatments and public transport facilities required as a result of the rezoning of the land east of the existing residential land at Kelso.

The study also investigated options to improve the connectivity of an expanded Kelso with the Bathurst CBD, particularly via George Street. 

It is envisaged most of the works would be funded from Section 94 contributions from developers, as well as RMS initiatives.

Among the initial recommendations are dual left turns from Durham Street (south) to Stewart Street at the Durham Street/Stewart Street intersection; traffic signals at the Great Western Highway/Rankin Street intersection; upgrade along the Great Western Highway by RMS; two approach lanes on the George Street (east) approach at the Great Western Highway/George Street intersection, with the removal of parking during the morning and afternoon peak periods.

Initiatives for Kelso roads to cope with the growing population include a one-lane circulating roundabout at the Marsden Lane/Hughes Street intersection; upgrading from one-lane circulating roundabout to two-lane circulating roundabout at the Gilmour Street Hereford Street/Marsden Lane and Hereford Street/Stanley Street intersections; and widening of Hereford Street from Gilmour Street to Stanley Street from two to four lanes, including widening of the bridge over the Macquarie River.

Other recommendations include widening of George Street from Stanley Street to the Great Western Highway (Durham Street) to provide three travel lanes in both directions.