Work began six months ago to move the road further away from the airport to accommodate an extra 538 metres that will be added to the western end of the airport’s runway, part of the $19 million airport expansion project.

However progress on the intersection was delayed by six weeks after contractor Hewatt Earthworks ran into financial difficulties and a bout of bad weather earlier in the season. 

One section on the Aerodrome and Huntley roads intersection remains unfinished, but Orange councillor Chris Gryllis assured road users they would hardly notice the difference.

“As you know, you need hot weather for the bitumen to be laid down properly. As soon as the weather warms up they will finish that section,” Cr Gryllis said.

“This [the new road] is much safer than the temporary one we’ve been using for the past six months.”

The new intersection will mean airport traffic will have priority, where previously drivers coming from Orange had to give way or stop when they reached the intersection.

Cr Gryllis said work on the new terminal and runway is set to be completed by Christmas, but warned that it was also at the mercy of the weather.

“The whole project is on track to finish within the estimated time-frame and the budget is quite on target too,” he said.

“The aim has always been to do something properly, and not rush it.”

alexandra.king@fairfaxmedia.com.au