Singleton’s civic leaders, Whittingham residents and real estate agents gathered in Burdekin Park to hear directly from their local member Michael Johnsen what was the preferred option for the future New England Highway bypass of Singleton.
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Mr Johnsen told the gathering the NSW Government had committed $92 million toward the upgrade project including $1.5 million this financial year to continue planning.
But he was unsure when the project would commence.
“The preferred option involves building a new section of highway west of Singleton starting near Newington Lane and rejoining the New England Highway north of McDougalls Hill,” Mr Johnsen said.
“The route was selected after RMS displayed three options late last year and carried out technical investigations which included flood modelling.”
Commenting of flood plain issues Mr Johnsen said the upgrade involves a potential 3.1 kilometre bridge over the Main Northern Railway, Doughboy Hollow and Hunter River floodplains.
“Potential interchanges would be built to the north and south of Singleton and another at Putty Road to provide access to the town centre,” Mr Johnsen said.
“The newly selected route would also provide flood immunity along the new highway for a one in 20 year flood event.”
Sue Moore, Mayor of Singleton, said that the announcement is a fantastic step forward in progressing work on the much-needed Singleton bypass.
“Now that we have this momentum, I’d like to see it quickly gather speed to the detailed design and construction phases,” Mayor Moore said.
“Currently, the New England Highway bisects our township and the single-lane passage of one of the State’s most important transport routes has proven over again not only to be inadequate, but a safety risk to motorists and pedestrians.”
“It is vital the design for the bypass provides connectivity to Singleton for motorists to stop in, as well as reunite our community to build on the range of lifestyle offerings that already make Singleton a great place to live.”
But Whittingham residents in attendance remained unimpressed.
They told The Argus the preferred route did nothing to alleviate the already dangerous stretch of New England Highway along the Whittingham flats.