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Stage 4 of Orange's Southern Feeder Road begins, but another $40 million needed to complete the job
April 13, 2023
By Peter Holmes
Another $40 million would be required to complete the southern feeder road from the Mitchell Highway to Forbes Road.
On Thursday morning soil was turned on the latest stage in the multi-year project, which would ultimately provide a backdoor route for passing traffic wanting to head further west without using the Northern Distributor Road or heading through the Orange CBD.
It would also disperse local traffic, taking pressure off other major thoroughfares in the city.
The official launch attracted an all-star cast, including assistant federal minister for infrastructure and transport, senator Carol Brown; NSW minister for regional transport and roads, Jenny Aitchison; federal member Andrew Gee; state MP Phil Donato; mayor Jason Hamling; deputy mayor Gerald Power; and councillors Jack Evans, Glenn Floyd, Jeff Whitton and Kevin Duffy.
The fourth stage of the development, which will link the southern end of Anson Street with Shiralee Road, is costing $14.7 million.
The contract for the 1.7km stretch of road was awarded to Maas Group, which has a number of projects on the go around Orange, including the Prince Street housing development.
It is funded by Orange City Council ($4.6 million), the state government’s Resources for Regions program ($4.5 million) and the federal government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety & Productivity Program and the Local Roads & Community Infrastructure Program ($5.5 million).
Over the last 10 years, as grant funding became available, Orange City Council worked on the first three stages of the southern feeder road.
The first three stages of the road have been:
1. From the top of Anson Street to Forest Road;
2. From Forest Road to Elsham Ave (including the rail overpass bridge), and;
3. From Elsham Ave to the Mitchell Highway
The job is not being completed in linear fashion, with council reliant on successful grant applications to fund each stage.
Once the latest section has been completed Orange City Council will turn its focus to the northwestern end of the southern feeder road, aligning the intersection of the Northern Distributor Road and Forbes Road with Ploughmans Lane, before working south towards Wentworth Golf Club and Towac Racecourse.
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