Tamworth Regional council begins upgrade on Browns Lane

Browns Lane, near Moore Creek, has been a bugbear for residents, councillors and motorists in recent years with a number of accidents and near misses on the road.

A 1.3km section of the lane between Moore Creek Road and Forest Road will be the focus of the project which is expected to take about eight weeks to complete.

The stage one work is budgeted to cost $867,000 and is being funded through Council’s road renewal budget allocation, Federal Assistance Grants, council’s reserve and Section 94 developer contributions.

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Tamworth Regional Council’s manager of transport and assets, Brendan Moran, said the project includes widening the roadway by about 1.5 metres, as well as improvements to stormwater drainage and renewing the road pavement.

“This work is essential for current and future residents of the Hills Plain because it is a key link road used on average by up to 860 vehicles daily,” Mr Moran said.

“Motorists should expect travel on Browns Lane will take a little longer than usual.”

Motorists who regularly use Browns Lane are advised there will be changes to traffic conditions while the works are in progress.

One lane will be closed to traffic while the works are in progress with traffic controls alternating the flow of traffic.

A reduced speed limit of 40km/h will apply in the work zone for the safety of motorists and construction workers. Signage will be in place to alert motorists to changed traffic conditions.

Once stage one works to Browns Lane is completed it will clear the way for construction to start on stage two of the project in 2018/19 which will include drainage works and 200 metres of road approach to a new roundabout at the intersection of Browns Lane and Moore Creek Road.

Council has sought Federal Government funding under the 2018-19 Black Spot Programme to fund the work.

The outcome of the application is not expected to be known until the end of the current financial year.