UPDATED: Ongoing detours in place for major road works in Orange

The top layer of part of McLachlan Street is ripped up. Copyright: Orange News Examiner on-the-spot photo.

By Peter Holmes

There were detours in place in Orange on Tuesday, with road and footpath works underway in at least three locations in the east of the city.

The main action was on McLachlan Street outside Bills Beans, where heavy machinery ripped up roadway before sending the broken bits up a chute and then into a truck.

When the truck was full, it was driven away and replaced by a second truck.

People hoping to hear themselves think over a leisurely coffee at Bills were out of luck.

Cars were unable to access Summer Street from McLachlan Street.

The road works at the Alpine Shopping Centre. Copyright: Orange News Examiner on-the-spot photo.

A little down the way, outside the Alpine Shopping Centre, another detour was in place, on the corner of McLachlan and Dalton streets.

Some cars seemed determined to move through this detour to head east along Dalton Street, despite the road being blocked and "detour" signs.

The corner of McLachlan and Summer streets. Copyright: Orange News Examiner on-the-spot photo.

One worker, with no small amount of enthusiasm, urged a motorist who seemed unwilling to acknowledge the detour to "read the sign!".

UPDATE

"I’m pleased to see a major upgrade of a block of McLachlan Street begin this week, one of two projects to happen in the coming fortnight," mayor Jason Hamling told The Orange News Examiner.

The section of McLachlan Street to be re-surfaced is between Summer Street, south to Mazoudier Place, the laneway alongside the Charred restaurant.

The other job is in Moulder Street between Lords Place and Anson Street.

"In both projects council’s contractors will be removing the damaged surface, and stabilising the underlying gravel pavement," Hamling said. "Then a seal of bitumen will be added before a deeper layer of hot mix asphalt."

Work is planned in McLachlan Street from Tuesday to Thursday, before the crew moves to Lords Place on Friday. All this is dependent on weather.

"The seal and hot mix will be added at both locations next week," the mayor said. "Crews will be aiming to minimise disruption by keeping one lane of the road to traffic.

"To avoid delays, drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and avoid the areas if possible."

A separate project work started this week will see the installation of a new water main in Dalton Street.

"The new pipe replaces an old main and the upgrade will avoid potential breaks into the future," Hamling said.

"Once the new pipe is installed council staff will be in touch with each household about when each house will be connected to the new main."

SECOND UPDATE

Due to the rain, the crew will move to Moulder St on Wednesday for one day and then come back to McLachlan St.