THE Mitchell Shire Council (MSC) is advocating for patience, with two months of road upgrades on Lithgow Street, Beveridge set to commence in the name of improving safety and traffic flow.
The project will see a new roundabout and raised pedestrian crossing built to improve one of the busiest roads in Beveridge but is set to create brief traffic chaos.
It is a project which will be delivered in three stages.
Stage one will see the construction of an interim roundabout with traffic islands at the intersection of Lithgow Street and Patterson Road.
Once that is completed, stage two will reduce Lithgow Street to one lane in each direction between Patterson Road and the Mandalay Circuit roundabout. It is an initiative which is aimed to reduce speeding, which MSC says is a persistent issue in the area.
Following that, stage three will see a raised pedestrian crossing constructed next to the Greater Beveridge Community Centre, which is designed to provide safer access for families and children using the Centre.
Works will begin on the week of August 25, with completion expected by the end of October, weather permitting. MSC says the working hours will be 7am to 5pm on Monday to Friday, and 9am to 4pm on Saturdays if required.
MSC has warned that there will be traffic impacts throughout works.
There will be traffic management and speed restrictions in place, with drivers warned to face delays and plan ahead. Access to emergency services and to residential properties, businesses and community facilities will continue to be maintained during the works.
During stage one roundabout construction, there will be no right turns allowed across the centre of the Lithgow Street and Patterson Road intersection, with detours in place from the Mandalay Circuit roundabout and a turnaround point at Ingenia Lifestyle.
There will also be partial lane closures at the Lithgow Street and Mantel Green intersection, with detours again going through the Mandalay Circuit roundabout.
During the spring school holidays, partial lane closures of Lithgow Street will be carried out for asphalt works, with further updates communicated when the works are confirmed.
During stage two and three constructions, a temporary pedestrian crossing will be available to cross.
MSC says the interim roundabout will be a temporary solution to help improve the traffic flow and safety in the area ahead of the next stage of works, which will deliver a signalised intersection due by 2028.
Council says in its press release that there is continued support that is required from the Federal and State governments.
MSC Mayor Councillor John Dougall says the works, while delivering temporary traffic chaos, will be beneficial for the town longer term.
“We’ve seen significant growth in this part of the Shire, and Council is doing everything it can to respond through upgrades, developer coordination and long-term planning,” he said.
“Projects like the upgrade of Camerons Lane are absolutely vital. It’s a key connection that will support thousands of future residents and help improve traffic flow across the region.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and look forward to delivering a safer, more accessible road network in Beveridge.”
This will tie in with additional works happening in the town, with a section of Lithgow Street east of Spring Street becoming a fully upgraded road over the next 12 months.
A roundabout will be installed on the west side of the Hume Freeway at the freeway ramps and Lithgow Street, expected to be delivered within the next 18 to 24 months.
There will also be further improvements which will yield a roundabout at Spring Street and Lithgow Street, as well as improvements to the Old Hume Highway and Lithgow Street and Hume Freeway on-ramp, also expected to be done within the next 18 to 24 months.
