A suburban intersection, and feeder route into Bathurst’s CBD, is set to receive $220,000 in funding under the national Black Spot Program.
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The funding will see a roundabout constructed at the intersection of Piper and Rankin streets which has become well-known for accidents over the years.
In December 2013 long-time Piper Street resident Margaret Wood described the road as “absolutely shocking” and “as busy as Pitt Street” during peak hour.
She spoke out following a three-car collision at the intersection on November 1, 2013.
“You take your life into your own hands if you go through there of a morning, after school or after work in the afternoon,” she said at the time.
“I reckon there’s a close shave on that corner at least once a week. But I know there’s dingles all the time, they just don’t get reported.
“The trouble is people just go straight through on Rankin Street and don’t give way to the traffic on Piper Street.”
That three-car accident also prompted deputy mayor Ian North to ask for an investigation into the possibility of having a roundabout following the incident.
Federal member for Calare John Cobb announced the funding boost yesterday and said the blackspot program ensures safer roads, improves travel times for motorists and creates local jobs.
“Blackspot projects target dangerous roads to save lives and reduce road trauma, ensuring our local road network is safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians,” he said.
“This Bathurst project was assessed by a panel of independent road safety experts who agreed it was unsafe and needed upgrading.”
Bathurst Regional Council engineer Doug Patterson told the Western Advocate in December 2013 that major underground supply water mains are located beneath the intersection.
“The construction of any roundabout there would involved substantial relocation of services or improvement works which would mean a lot of expense that people wouldn’t even see,” he said.
Bathurst council will construct the roundabout in the 2015-2016 financial year.
Individuals and community groups are encouraged to nominate black spots for consideration.
Further information and nomination forms for the next round of the Black Spot Program can be downloaded online.
