Work has begun on an Orange City Council safety upgrade at a busy intersection in Franklin Road.
Construction is under way at the corner of Lords Place and Franklin Road on a project that will include:
- the installation of pedestrian blisters at the intersection
- a raised pavement platform on the crest of the hill approximately 50 metres south of the intersection.
- an improved surface with the addition of hotmix asphalt through the intersection.
Orange City Council has received funding under the NSW Government’s Safer Roads Program for safety improvements at the corner worth $190,000.
Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the upgrade has been targeted because of the corner history of traffic accidents.
SAFETY: A history of collisions has prompted the safety upgrade at the corner of Lords Place and Franklin Road.
“This busy intersection has had three cross-traffic collisions that have resulted in injuries with people taken to hospital,” Cr Reg Kidd said. “The changes to the intersection will make it safer for both drivers and pedestrians.”
“The installation of blisters is good for pedestrians as well as people behind the wheel. Because they are positioned further out into the roadway than the existing Give Way signs, blisters allow a driver entering from Franklin Road to have a clearer view of traffic in Lords Place.
“The raised platform at the crest of the hill will be similar to the feature recently added to the Anson St and Matthews Ave intersection. It’s designed to encourage drivers to slow down as they approach this intersection.”
Orange City Council Infrastructure Committee chair Cr Jeff Whitton is asking drivers to be patient with a road closure that will begin next week.
“Because of good progress in the first stage of the work, council crews have been able to bring forward the project,” Cr Jeff Whitton said. “The section of Lords Place between Franklin Road and Cemar Avenue will now close for two weeks starting from Wednesday 8 June.”
“Detours will be in place via Piesley Street, Warrendine Street and Gardiners Road. Residents have been sent letters outlining the timetable for the project.”
Weather permitting, the project should be completed by late June.
