Deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce came to town on Friday, August 25 with two signed cheques –figuratively at least – releasing federal funding for Tenterfield’s Heavy Vehicle Bypass and the Bolivia Hill Realignment.
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A Roads and Maritime Services project crew was in town earlier in the month already spending the $10 million committed to the bypass project. In regards to funding for the actual construction of the bypass – which has been mooted for 70 years or more – Mr Joyce said he’ll keep pushing and it’s a piece-by-piece process. After investing $10 million in the design phase, however, he said there’s no going back at this point.
Infrastructure and Transport minister Darren Chester said the project could now proceed to the development phase, which will include detailed design works, environmental assessment, property acquisition and pre-construction works.
“This funding delivers on a 2016 election commitment and builds on the extensive community consultation with local residents, council and key stakeholders that led to identifying the final preferred route in 2015.”
Mr Joyce said getting heavy vehicles out of the middle of town will vastly improve safety for local traffic and pedestrians.
“It will certainly make the main street of Tenterfield a more ‘user-friendly’ place.”
The preferred route will include a new five-kilometre carriageway west of the town incorporating four new bridges and two new intersections at the northern and southern connections with the existing highway. It is now incorporated into Tenterfield’s Local Environment Plan, meaning the land is reserved for future road construction.
Tenders to carry out the latest works are expected to be called next month, with detailed design expected to be completed by mid-2019.
While in town Mr Joyce also announced the formal signing-off of the government’s $55 million contribution to the Bolivia Hill upgrade project.
“This upgrade will save lives and boost productivity within the region – a win-win for all drivers, including heavy vehicles, as well as the area’s businesses alike,” he said.
Tenders for the contract to deliver this project will now be called, with work expected to start by early 2018 and be completed in mid-2019, weather permitting. The NSW Government is contributing the balance of funding for the $78.1 million project.
