George & Howick Street roundabout reconstruction

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Consultation has concluded

The intersection of George and Howick Streets will be reconstructed. The road pavement and stormwater drainage will be upgraded and a new roundabout will be installed, with work on the roundabout starting in February 2019.

In January we will relocate the water mains that are underneath the intersection to allow the roadworks to be completed.

The pedestrian crossings that are adjacent to the roundabout will be removed and replaced with pedestrian refuges. A mid-block pedestrian refuge will also be installed in George Street adjacent to Machattie Lane.



The intersection of George and Howick Streets will be reconstructed. The road pavement and stormwater drainage will be upgraded and a new roundabout will be installed, with work on the roundabout starting in February 2019.

In January we will relocate the water mains that are underneath the intersection to allow the roadworks to be completed.

The pedestrian crossings that are adjacent to the roundabout will be removed and replaced with pedestrian refuges. A mid-block pedestrian refuge will also be installed in George Street adjacent to Machattie Lane.



Consultation has concluded
  • George & Howick St Roundabout reconstruction continues

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    George & Howick St Roundabout reconstruction continues

    This week work has focused on water main re-location and blister removal adjacent to Radio Rentals and moving towards the roundabout. On Friday the crew had begun work around the corner in Howick Street.

    All equipment is being moved offsite this afternoon prior to the long weekend. Motorists and pedestrians are reminded that there are rough and uneven surfaces on the road and adjacent to the footpaths as a result of the work. Please take care in these areas.

    Next week:

    The work in Howick Street will continue (Howick St on the western side of the roundabout) on Tuesday morning. As a result Howick St will be closed to traffic in this area when work recommences on site.

    Traffic flow will continue north and south along George Street and in Howick Street from the William Street end.

    Pedestrian access will be retained and businesses within the area of the works are all still open. Please allow for extra time to park in an area away from the construction site as car parking is impacted in the immediate area of the works.

    Council is advertising the works program on local radio and a new series of ads will commence late next week to advise of the full closure of the roundabout, along with a separate ad to advise that all businesses in the area remain open for business.

    Work is continuing on schedule on the water main relocation works and the full closure of the intersection will proceed as scheduled on Tuesday 5 February 2019.


  • George & Howick St Roundabout reconstruction update

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    The crews have completed the water main re-location and blister removal in front of the St Stephens Presbyterian Church.

    Next week
    The crews will move on to the other side of George Street, in front of Radio Rentals on Monday. This will have some impact on pedestrian access in the area.

    As a result, the section of George Street adjacent to Radio Rentals will be closed. Traffic heading north along George Street will not be able to pass through the intersection.

    The temporary pedestrian crossing on George Street has been removed.

    While the roundabout is still open, traffic control will be in place and subject to ongoing changes to meet the requirements of the works, with short term closures on some approaches. This will have some impact on traffic flows and parking in the area.

    The water works will continue next week with an expected completion date in early February. The next stage of the project will commence on February 5 with a full closure of the intersection to replace the roundabout.

  • The upgrade of the George and Howick Street roundabout is on schedule.

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    The water crews have conducted some deep excavation work this week to get underneath communications cabling. The next phase of the project involves removal of the pedestrian crossing on George Street and the installation of temporary crossing 40m along the street. This will allow for safe movement for pedestrians while works progress.

    While the roundabout is still open, traffic control will be in place and will be subject to ongoing changes to meet the requirements of the works, with short term closures on some approaches. This will have some impact on traffic flows and parking in the area.

    The water works will continue next week with an expected completion date in early February. The next stage of the project will commence on February 5 with a full closure of the intersection to replace the roundabout.

  • Water works underway at George and Howick Street Roundabout

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    The upgrade of the George and Howick Street roundabout has commenced. This project will significantly improve safety and enable smoother flow of traffic at the intersection.

    Water crews are currently relocating the water mains that are underneath the roundabout to reduce the time frame for the total closure of the intersection once pavement works commence.

    While the roundabout is still open, traffic control will be in place and will be subject to ongoing changes to meet the requirements of the works, with short term closures on some approaches. This will have some impact on traffic flows and parking in the area.

    The works will continue next week with an expected completion date in early February. The next stage of the project will commence on February 5 to replace the roundabout.

  • George & Howick St Roundabout reconstruction

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    What are we doing?

    The intersection of George and Howick streets will be reconstructed. The road pavement and stormwater drainage will be upgraded and a new roundabout will be installed, with work on the roundabout starting in February 2019.

    In January we will relocate the water mains that are underneath the intersection to allow the roadworks to be completed.

    The pedestrian crossings that are adjacent to the roundabout will be removed and replaced with pedestrian refuges. A mid-block pedestrian refuge will also be installed in George Street adjacent to Machattie Lane

    Timeline

    January 2019
    Water crews will commence work on relocating water mains that are underneath the George-
    Howick Street roundabout. There will be some impact on traffic flows during this work. This will result in one lane of traffic being closed at a time, however the intersection will remain open during this phase of the work.
    The anticipated timeframe of the works will be 5 weeks, weather permitting. Due to the complexity of the work and the existing infrastructure, the laying of the new water main will be difficult and this may affect the progress of the works.
    We are starting the works in January as it is traditionally a quieter time of year and the works need to be completed before we start on the roundabout.
    February - March 2019
    The George-Howick Street roundabout will be closed to traffic while the roundabout is replaced and rebuilt. A u-turn area will be provided in each of the streets near the road closure area so traffic can access businesses along the blocks adjoining the roundabout.
    Pedestrian access will remain throughout the works program.
    The anticipated timeframe of these works will be 8 weeks, weather permitting. The work will be
    undertaken by Council crews who will work extended hours to reduce the timeframe. The works will commence after school returns for 2019 school year and after the 2019 Bathurst 12 Hour.

    How can people access businesses in the area?
    There will be parking available in George and Howick Streets, but the intersection will be closed from 5 February. Motorists need to use Rankin, William and Russell Streets.

    Why are we doing the work?
    The roundabout was the first installed in Bathurst and the new roundabout will help improve safety at the intersection.

    Traffic issues, including congestion in parts of George Street, has long been a source of
    frustration for drivers. A series of investigations, including modelling undertaken on behalf of
    Council by the RMS, considered all potential options to improve this site. The studies found that reconstruction of the intersection to modernise the roundabout, and remove marked pedestrian
    crossings would ease congestion and provides the best solution.

    Much of the current congestion is caused by the location of the marked pedestrian crossings at the exits of the roundabout. This causes traffic to queue through the intersection while pedestrians cross, and also creates the dangerous situation of pedestrians becoming complacent and stepping out in front of vehicles accelerating as they leave. Pedestrian refuges change the emphasis from the driver to the pedestrian, and increase awareness at the intersection.