THE early stages of work to improve the intersection of Mitre, Suttor and Lambert streets have commenced.
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It was just last week that Talis Civil, the company awarded the construction tender, established a site office on Suttor Street, signalling that work was on the way.
On Monday, workers began the task of locating the underground services in the vicinity of the intersection.
Coincidentally, it was also the third anniversary of the day that a car ploughed into the fence of the Assumption School just after school started.
That accident was what sparked a highly-publicised campaign by Kent and Dianne McNab to finally improve safety around that intersection.
The couple have been getting increasingly excited this year as the roundabout project progressed and are thrilled to see work has commenced.
They have visited the intersection multiple times this week to check on the progress.
Mr McNab said that Talis Civil had been very welcoming towards them and were keeping them updated on the work.
"The crew that were doing the work [on Tuesday] were very happy to explain what they are doing," Mrs McNab said.
They were out digging slot trenches to locate water, gas and Telstra services, using an unintrusive technique to excavate.
"It's a hydro excavation suction system using high pressure water and vacuum," Mr McNab said.
It is anticipated to take around nine months, weather permitting, for construction on the project to conclude, with a bulk of the work to be done during the summer school holidays.
Talis is also trying to work around the busy school pick-up and drop-off times to ensure there is minimal disruption.
The McNabs are hoping construction will go smoothly and be completed in a timely manner.
"They've allowed nine months to cover from go to whoa. It's better to specify a longer time than a shorter time ... but if they get it done earlier we will be ecstatic," Mrs McNab said.
"Whatever it takes, it's a short time compared to 23 years."
