COUNCILLORS have been given tentative assurance that, by this time next year, construction will be well under way on the roundabout at the intersection of Mitre, Suttor and Lambert streets.
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Bathurst Regional Council’s director of Engineering Services, Darren Sturgiss, was asked for an update on the project’s progress at Wednesday’s meeting.
In his response to questions from Cr Ian North, Mr Sturgiss explained that discussions regarding services were progressing.
In order to save money and minimise disruption, council would like to install a water main through the land that the scout hall sits on, however as it is owned by the Crown appropriate permission would be needed.
“We’ve discussed again as recently as today (Wednesday) opportunities for diverting of water mains, with respect to running a water main through the scout hall land,” Mr Sturgiss said.
“If we have the opportunity to put the water main through the location it will make the job far easier.”
He was unable to tell Cr North when council would call for tenders.
Cr North understood it was difficult to give a timeline, but wanted to know if by this time next year progress would be more tangible.
“We are working as effectively as we can. I would certainly like to think we’d be well under way with construction at that stage,” Mr Sturgiss said.
The update came two weeks after a driver of the project, Kent McNab, informed council that people still asked him for updates.
He said also told council he had learnt of another incident at the intersection involving a mother and her two children.
“She had to brake hard to give way to a bus at Lambert, Mitre, Suttor streets when the vehicle behind slammed into the rear of her vehicle, causing extensive damage,” Mr McNab said.
It served to him as further proof of the need for action.
“I have now been told about 19 accidents involving 39 adults and 6 children. Luckily none involved serious injury,” he said.