TRAFFIC at one of Bathurst’s busiest intersections will be heavily impacted when work begins on a three-month project to build a new roundabout in the new year.
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The first stage of work on a new roundabout at the intersection of George and Howick streets – an upgrade of stormwater and drainage infrastructure – is scheduled to start on January 2.
Bathurst Regional Council expects that to take about five weeks and while the intersection will remain open, there will be an impact on traffic flow.
The intersection will then be completely closed to traffic for about eight weeks when construction of the new roundabout starts in February.
But the short-term pain is expected to bring long-term gain for all road users in the CBD, with the removal of pedestrian crossings on each approach to the intersection expected to greatly improve traffic flow.
Council’s traffic committee chairman Warren Aubin said the George and Howick intersection was outdated.
“Number one, the surface of that intersection is woeful,” Cr Aubin said.
“But also, that intersection is the catalyst for stopping traffic flow in the whole CBD and the reason is the predestrian crossings.
“You could have one person wander across every 20 seconds or so and a car just has to sit there waiting as the traffic backs up.
“Getting rid of the pedestrian crossings will make traffic flow much better.”
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When the pedestrian crossings are removed, a new pedestrian refuge will be installed further along George Street, near Machattie Lane.
“There’s also a pedestrian refuge down near Beck’s Bakery so elderly people or people pushing prams will be able to cross safely,” Cr Aubin said.
“People will get used to it really quickly.”
U-turn areas will be installed on each of the streets near intersection during the complete shut down from February so traffic can access nearby businesses. Pedestrian access will remain in place for the duration of the works.
Access to businesses near the intersection can be gained by using Rankin, William and Russell streets. There will still be parking available in George and Howick streets.
The existing roundabout at George and Howick Streets was the first installed in Bathurst.
