Bypass would help traffic flow
AN improved Tomingley to Eumungerie Road is likely, with Member for Dubbo Troy Grant confirming that the State Government was contributing $25,000 towards a feasibility study of the potential upgrade.
“We are assessing that as a potential heavy vehicle bypass that will complement the Inland Rail investment,” Mr Grant confirmed.
AN improved Tomingley to Eumungerie Road is likely, with Member for Dubbo Troy Grant confirming that the State Government was contributing $25,000 towards a feasibility study of the potential upgrade.
“We are assessing that as a potential heavy vehicle bypass that will complement the Inland Rail investment,” Mr Grant confirmed.
“We are working with the RMS to scope the feasibility.”
Narromine Shire Council has been investigating the potential upgrade for several years as the road is increasingly used by freight operators and heavy vehicles to avoid Dubbo congestion and divert from the Newell Highway. Mr Grant said the upgrade would lessen traffic impact on other roads and would reduce traffic congestion in Dubbo.
“It would take traffic away, bypassing Dubbo. This would have a benefit.
“Not all heavy vehicles travelling the length of the Newell need to stop in Dubbo,” Mr Grant said.
“This upgrade has the potential to move some of this heavy traffic away from Dubbo without the significant cost of constructing a new ring road elsewhere, also avoiding costly and lengthy land acquisition processes and disruption to lives and livelihoods.”
The road upgrade also has the potential to improve transport and freight efficiency in and out of Narromine.
“This would be of great benefit to the Narromine Shire and the Orana Region, improving freight movement and efficiency, access to the shire, and will also help to improve road safety.”
Narromine Mayor Craig Davies was pleased with the benefits the upgrade would provide.
“Future upgrades of this road corridor will reduce travel times, reduce maintenance costs and fuel consumption for users while aligning with the inland rail route and decreasing congestion in around Dubbo,” Cr Davies said.