Mayor John Davis and member for Calare Andrew Gee inspected the project on Friday morning, which cost $635,000 in federal black spot funding. 

Blister crossings were added to the intersection, connecting footpaths on both streets and only linemarking and some of the concrete medians were still being finished. 

Mr Gee said it had been the scene of a number of accidents and near misses in previous years.

“People have been injured, people have been T-boned in their vehicles at this intersection… there have been issues with speed as well,” he said.

“It’s a very busy intersection, you’ve got about just over 8000 people using Woodward Street every day, these are cars, and almost 5000 using Moulder Street so I don’t think people realise how busy this part of Orange actually is.”

He said the concrete had been built to last. 

Cr Davis said the roundabout would improve traffic flow, especially as development at Shiralee continued.

“The fact is we have traffic jams in Orange, which is unheard of,” he said.

“Five years [ago, if] you came to an intersection at 8.30 in the morning or 3.30 in the afternoon, it would flow very easily, but now we have this enormous amount of cars and traffic’s banked up a block and a half at most of these intersections.”

He said nearby businesses affected by the work had been “keeping us honest” but it had to be done and the road had remained open during most of the construction. 

“They want the facilities, but they don’t want the time off and I think that’s a bit unfair,” he said.

“It’s a great facility there now, everyone will be better off.”

Forefront Services completed the project, which employed between 12 and 38 people on site on any given day since April.

Director Anthony Redfern said the weather had been a challenge, but staff had been able to adapt.

“It’s great to see the council standing with local businesses and probably the most pleasing thing was the dedication in making sure we met the deadline and the support they gave us to do that,” he said.