THE NSW Government says the next step will be taken this week in the preparation work for the duplication of the Great Western Highway between Kelso and Raglan.
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A concept plan for the $30 million duplication is expected to be completed early this year.
“The first stage of work involves removing four hazardous trees along the highway, from Ashworth Drive to Ceramic Avenue,” Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said this week.
“After a thorough inspection of all trees was carried out, four were found to pose a safety risk to motorists and pathway users due to their condition and location.
“No decision has been made regarding any other trees and consultation with the community, Greening Bathurst and Bathurst Regional Council will continue before any other landscaping decisions are made.”
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Mr Toole said Roads and Maritime Services is committed to including urban design and landscaping as an “integral part” of the new project design.
“Roads and Maritime will ensure the project includes space for a shared cycleway, landscaping and an avenue of trees,” he said.
“Roads and Maritime will also be working with Bathurst Regional Council and Greening Bathurst regarding the landscaping plans and selection of tree species during the concept and detailed design.
“Community feedback is an important step and everyone will have an opportunity to comment once the concept plans are complete, which is expected to be in early 2019.”
Work on the removal of the trees will start this Thursday and is expected to be completed by this Friday, weather permitting, according to the NSW Government.
Work hours will be between 7am and 5pm and Roads and Maritime Services is asking motorists to drive to the conditions and follow the direction of signs and traffic control.
The duplication of the highway from Kelso to Raglan follows the two-and-a-half-year, $104 million duplication of the highway through Kelso, which opened in March 2017.
That upgrade doubled the capacity of a 2.8 kilometre section of the highway and also involved the removal of trees.
Landscaping for the Kelso duplication was carried out with the assistance of Greening Bathurst.
There were calls at the time for the duplication to continue to Raglan to cater for Bathurst’s population growth as the city is predicted to add thousands of residents.
