news, local-news, appin, road, funding

Hume MP Angus Taylor has announced how the federal government’s $50 million funding commitment will be spent to upgrade Appin Road. Mr Taylor said safety works had started on the notorious stretch of bitumen between Mount Gilead and Appin. The initial works will include tactile line marking and the installation of signage and more guideposts. The first stage will also include the removal of dangerous objects along the road, mainly tree stumps. “These works are focused on safety,” Mr Taylor said. “There have been too many accidents and there is more traffic on the road. “The improvements are based on data from accidents. “Work has started now. This is not the end of the story. It’s the beginning.” The first stage of works will cost $5 million, which was allocated in the 2017/18 budget. Planning work is also under way on the design for an overtaking lane, curve realignment and road safety barriers, to be completed in stage two. Mr Taylor said the upgrades would improve safety and increase road capacity to support new residential development in the Macarthur region. The project will be delivered over a five-year period, with initial road improvements to be completed mid-2018. All works are expected to be completed in 2022. Major works will include travel lane and shoulder widening, a new northbound overtaking lane, realigning curve, installing wire safety barriers, improved clear zones, providing safer access for residents and installing clearer signs and additional line-marking. No further detail as to the exact locations of these upgrades has been provided yet. “Just like Narellan Road and the Northern Road, the improvements will take time,” Mr Taylor said. “Every tragedy we prevent is a very good thing. “With these safety improvements, I hope the road will become a zero-injury road.” Mr Taylor said environmental approvals needed to be completed and finialised before major works could begin. “The approvals are crucial so local flora and fauna, especially koalas, can be protected,” he said. “The approvals are not going to take years. “As soon as the approvals are done then major works can start.” When asked about duplicating the road, Mr Taylor said that would take a funding commitment from the state government and private sector.

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