More on the way for Thunderbolts Way
Published on 16 July 2019
Road rehabilitation works completed along sections of Thunderbolts Way over the past 12 months are part of a much larger joint roadworks strategy shared by MidCoast and Walcha Councils.
Thunderbolts Way is an important regional road and transport route, linking Walcha in the north with Gloucester and The Bucketts Way, and providing a strategic link to Newcastle and Sydney.
Through a series of projects undertaken in the past financial year, travellers of this key route will already be benefiting from rehabilitation works aimed at improving safety outcomes.
A 1.4km section at Barrington has recently been upgraded, with final touches including line marking scheduled for later this month. Commencing in March, this section of the project has involved a full pavement rehabilitation and road widening in places.
"This has been a significant project that not only provides improved road safety along a busy stretch of Thunderbolts Way, but one that reinforces our value-for-money approach in reducing on-going maintenance costs", explained Robert Scott, MidCoast Council’s Director of Engineering and Infrastructure.
Additional works completed to date include rehabilitation of a 780m section of Thunderbolts Way at Baxters Ridge and another 420m section further north at Mares Run.
"These projects are part of delivering the first phase of the Thunderbolts Way Corridor Strategy, a joint initiative with Walcha Council which will see an investment of over $20 million in upgrades and improvements between now and 2023", Robert added.
Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen congratulated Council on the work undertaken so far, adding that the NSW Government was proud to invest $19.7 million in the upgrade.
“This is a key transport link for regional freight, for tourism and of course local residents and these upgrades are going to improve the road surface, reduce travel times and make the road safer for everyone,” he said.
“It’s part of our ongoing commitment to improving our regional road networks and improving local infrastructure for communities.”
Projects highlighted in the Thunderbolts Way Corridor Strategy fall within a 150km segment between Walcha and Gloucester, and will be funded through the NSW Government's Restart NSW Fixing Country Roads program, along with contributions from both MidCoast and Walcha Councils. The works will be managed by the respective Councils.
“This is a great example of neighbouring Councils working together with the State Government to deliver benefits across the region”, Robert said.
"As a key connector route, the strategy is all about delivering safer roads for local motorists, primary producers, haulage businesses, tourists and recreational motorbike riders”.
The strategy targets priority sections of deteriorated road pavements, widening the road to at least 8 metres, installation and upgrade of safety features such as guardrails, safer curve alignments, and improved roadside signage.
View the Thunderbolts Way Corridor Strategy, and find out more about roadworks taking place across the MidCoast region, by visiting www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/roads
These important projects are part of MidCoast Council's commitment to improving infrastructure across the region.