MOTORISTS who use the Northern Distributor Road do not have long to wait for extra lighting at the Mitchell Highway intersection.
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The $244,750 worth of lighting has been in the planning since 2012 to increase safety at the intersection, but was delayed while faults in the road’s surface and design were addressed.
When the tender was awarded to NJ Constructions in April, mayor John Davis hoped they would be running before winter, however infrastructure committee chair and councillor Reg Kidd said there had been some early design delays.
“It’s good to see work well underway and the contractors making good progress,” he said.
“This set of lights will illuminate the turning lanes at the intersection and add extra safety for passing traffic.”
Cr Kidd said the first couple of lighting towers had been erected and with rain on the way, completion is expected in about two weeks.
“Essential Energy also have to sign off on the completed project before the lights can be switched on,” he said.
Originally, an individual flag light had been earmarked for the intersection but in 2012, councillors decided the brighter lights would encourage heavy vehicles to use the bypass.
Cr Kidd said the bypass was already proving its worth with the amount of traffic it had taken away from Orange’s central business district.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au