A section of NSW’s Mitchell Highway 20 kilometres east of Orange has been re-opened for public use, following the completion of works to widen the highway near the intersection with Pretty Plains Road.
A dedicated left turn lane off the highway into Pretty Plains Road was also installed.
Transport for NSW regional director west Alistair Lunn says the addition of the new left-turn lane will provide heavy vehicles that are slower to decelerate increased opportunity to slow down.
“This is a very busy intersection on the Mitchell Highway and Bathurst and Orange, and for years motorists have been asking for something to be done to make it safer for all road users,” Lunn says.
“The problem has always been that motorists wanting to turn from the highway into Pretty Plains Road have had to rapidly decelerate from 100 km/h, running the risk of vehicles behind them not reacting quickly enough and creating further hazards.
“Now, turning vehicles can safely leave the highway and continue slowing to make the turn into Pretty Plains Road, while vehicles continuing along the highway won’t be impacted.
“The intersection upgrade also includes new line-marking and the installation of new safety barriers.
“This project is part of $95.9 million Australian and NSW government-funded safety upgrades between Bathurst and Orange which started with the East Lucknow upgrade completed in July 2018.
“It has been a long process and we acknowledge there have been impacts on the travelling public in that area, but we remain committed to delivering the safest possible regional road network and will continue looking for other areas of improvement.”
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