Work has started on stage one of a major upgrade of Mullumbimby Road from the McAuleys Lane intersection to The Saddle Road intersection.
Those travelling to and from Uncle Tom’s to the town should expect traffic delays and factor extra travel time into their trip, say Council staff.
Minor preparation work, including the establishment of a site office, was completed last week, say staff.
The work includes, ‘widening the shoulder of Mullumbimby Road and McAuleys Lane at the intersection, a new right-turn lane from Mullumbimby Road onto McAuleys Lane and new road pavement, signposting, guardrails, and line marking’.
Plans for a bike path are not included in the works, but are expected to come later.
Staff say, ‘Two-way traffic will be maintained during the first stage of the project, but speeds will be slower and traffic control will be in place’.
Phil Holloway, Director Infrastructure Services, said Mullumbimby Road is the second-busiest in Byron Shire, carrying around 13,000 vehicles a day, so the impact of the project will be felt.
‘The entire project will take some six months to finish, and our teams will be working as fast and hard as they can to get the job done.
‘This is a complex project being done in a narrow road corridor and Council has few options when it comes to managing traffic during road work so there will be unavoidable delays for drivers,’ Mr Holloway said, adding drivers may prefer to use alternative routes, such as Myocum Road or Coolamon Scenic Drive.
Work hours will be Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, and Saturday, 8am to 1pm.
Stage one is expected to finish in September. Stage two, from The Saddle Road to the Gulgan Road intersection will run from September to December say staff.
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