How many kilometres of highway does $5million fix?
About 3.4km of the Clarence Way.
Kyogle Council is celebrating funding of $5million from the Australian Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program which will go towards the existing $47.2million Clarence Way Upgrade Project between Sandilands and Urbenville.
Council will add $1.25 million to the $5 million to upgrade extra sections of the road between Bonalbo and Urbenville.
The works will involve improving drainage, replacement of culverts, widening the pavement to a consistent 7m wide bitumen sprayed seal, line marking, signage and delineation on a 2.4km section of Clarence Way between Murphys Road and Mills Road at Bean Creek and 1km south of the Yabbra Scrub.
Kyogle mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland described the funding announcement as incredible news.
“This is the result of some hard work and relentless lobbying, and we are excited to finally be able to put a tick in that box,” Ms Mulholland said.
“There will still be some work to do on the Clarence Way, but the council is committed to lobbying for sufficient funds to finalise the Clarence Way Project.
“It will provide residents with improved access and also potentially provide an alternate freight route by connecting Grafton through to Queensland.”
Councillor Tom Cooper who lives out Bonalbo way said it was fantastic news that came on the back of the good work already done on Clarence Way.
“Good roads lead to efficiencies in transport, and with the high cost of fuel now it’s more important than ever that our roads are as good as we can possibly make them for efficient travel,” Mr Cooper said.
Work on the additional 3.4km is expected to start early next year
The council continues to seek further funding under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to complete the upgrade of the full length of the Clarence Way.
This information was provided by Kyogle Council.