ORANGE City Council is asking for patience from motorists as the latest of its major roadworks projects gets under way.
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On Monday roadwork crews began work on a two-kilometre stretch of Leeds Parade – from Margaret Street through to the Northern Distributor Road (NDR) – with the intersections to receive 40 millimetres of hot mix asphalt.
The upgrade, which according to council’s Infrastructure Committee chair Sam Romano will continue until “at least Christmas”, is the latest roadwork project under way in north Orange, with both Burrendong Way and William Maker Drive also being worked on.
Mayor Reg Kidd said the Leeds Parade upgrade – “which involves digging up the road to a depth of 150 millimetres” – was an important one for the city’s motorists.
“We know Leeds Parade is a busy thoroughfare in Orange and it is due for an upgrade,” Cr Kidd said.
“Crews will stabilise it with a road pulveriser and concrete additives before it gets a bitumen spray seal.
We appreciate that delays will be frustrating for motorists. We’re asking for patience while we work to continue upgrading Orange’s road network.
- Orange City Councillor Sam Romano
“The section between Phillip and Margaret streets will receive what’s called heavy patching with hot mix asphalt.
“That section of road has held up better than other parts, so the treatment for bringing it up to a better standard is different.”
Cr Romano said the project was one of the biggest on council’s roads program this season.
“This project will take at least until to Christmas to get finished, weather permitting,” Cr Romano said.
“The road will only have one lane open during that time and there will be traffic delays so it’s best to find another route to work if you can.
“We appreciate that delays will be frustrating for motorists. We’re asking for patience while we work to continue upgrading Orange’s road network.”
Meanwhile in Kite Street, crews will place a rectangular culvert at the intersection of Kite and Clinton streets to fill in the former dip.
The culvert will sit flush with the road, which will receive a hot-mix asphalt seal in the coming weeks.
Shortly after the culvert is installed, construction of pedestrian platforms, or blisters, will begin.
Crews have also completed an upgrade of Hill Street near the Orange Aquatic Centre, while tenders for the $3.4 million upgrade for Forest Road close this week.