The Lakes Way South Forster roadworks

Published on 08 March 2021

Developer Palms Lake Resort will operate contra-flow temporary traffic lights on The Lakes Way at South Forster for the next four to six weeks while major works to relocate and add new sewer lines takes place.

The works involve laying approximately 320 metres of 225mm sewer gravity mains and seven manholes at correct depths and gradients in parallel to the roadway.

Contractors report that the works are proving challenging during what has been consistently wet weather, delaying the project.

The nature of the works in this location have proved challenging, with shoring to keep water out and dewatering of the excavations required.

If the weather allows, contractors hope to have the roadside part of the job completed by Easter, but given recent weather patterns, it is likely that works will unavoidably continue through the school holiday period. If that occurs, the contractor will take measures to try to mitigate queues.

“Once these sewer line works are complete, the lights will be removed although a further roadworks project will require traffic control in the near future,” said MidCoast Council’s Manager of Projects and Engineering, Rhett Pattison.

The next step will be a major road reconstruction of The Lakes Way at that site.

“Dunns Creek has been realigned and will flow through the new development, so beginning around July, we’ll be undertaking works to construct a large box culvert on The Lakes Way, which will carry the Creek under the roadway.”

The culvert will significantly reduce the chance of flooding that has cut off The Lakes Way at Dunns Creek previously.

The road reconstruction project will widen the road at this location, improving safety and installing a roundabout just south of the culvert, which in future will meet The Southern Parkway extension and a future expansion of the Palm Lakes development.

Council will be calling for tenders to undertake the roadworks soon, and is expecting to award a contract in June.