Susanna Freymark
Transport for NSW is keen to hand back State roads to Richmond Valley Council but some of the roads are in poor condition.
The council is seeking to reclassify 16km of bypassed road corridors including Langs Way, Baraang Drive, and Tuckombil Road after the completion of the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade.
The council has advocated for the roads to be improved before the handover and a previous lack of formal communication and timeline has created uncertainty for the council’s asset planning and budgeting.
Because of this, the council has engaged Living Infrastructure as a specialist consultant to work with TfNSW with the aim of the handover being completed by June 30.
After a site inspection in early December last year, a range of defects and rectification works were identified including shoulder grading, heavy patching, crack sealing, guard rail replacement, stockpile remediation, river slip repairs, and safety enhancements at the interchange roundabouts.
To meet the required project timeframes, it is proposed that TfNSW undertake a portion of the rectification works and provide a financial contribution to enable the council to complete the remaining works.
The council had previously opposed taking maintenance responsibility for the concrete roundabouts at the Woodburn and Broadwater interchanges because of the significant costs involved.
Following recent site inspections, proposed rectification works now include the installation of a continuous 5m concrete strip along the outer edge of each roundabout, which will enhance safety and improve sight distances for drivers.
The council is negotiating with TfNSW for a financial contribution to support the restoration of towns and villages impacted by the highway bypass.
This negotiation includes funding to support the Woodburn CBD streetscape improvements.
The roads are important for the council’s projects including the Mid-Richmond Place Plans, Three Villages Cycleway and Woodburn streetscape improvements.
Further work is being done for the potential reclassification of MR145 – Woodburn Coraki Road/Casino Coraki Road from a Regional classified road to a NSW State owned asset. This road is a critical transport link and given its strategic importance and the scale of maintenance and renewal obligations required to sustain its performance, MR145 would be more appropriately managed as a State road.
Updates on road ownership negotiations will be be brought to future council meetings.
More Richmond Valley Council stories here.
This information is from the council agenda at the meeting on February 17.