UPGRADES TO BOOST FREIGHT TRANSPORT IN PARKES SHIRE

HEAVY vehicles travelling through Parkes Shire will soon experience safer journeys and a reduction in travel times with works starting on the widening and sealing of 6.2 kilometres of The Bogan Way (MR350) and the final 6km of upgrades on Middle Trundle Road near Parkes reaching completion.

Member for Riverina, Deputy Prime Minister, National Party Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said The Bogan Way was a vital route for heavy vehicles but the operating speed of heavy vehicles was currently restricted.

“This $1.87 million upgrade will go a long way toward overcoming this restriction, catering for traffic growth while allowing heavy vehicle operators and other motorists to travel more safely and quickly to their destination,” Mr McCormack said.

“The upgrade will also strengthen pavements and increases the sealed width, reducing maintenance costs and saving taxpayer dollars.

“Once completed, the project will save an estimated 10 days a year in roadwork delays and closures caused by seasonal flooding.

“This project was funded through Round Six of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program and comes on top of the funding we’ve provided to Parkes Council through Rounds Four and Five of the Program for the completion of Stages 1 and 2 of the Middle Trundle Road upgrade in 2017 and 2018.”

New South Wales Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources and Western NSW Rick Colless said the NSW Government also contributed to The Bogan Way Upgrade and Middle Trundle Road Upgrade through the NSW Fixing Country Roads Program.

“As well contributing to The Bogan Way Uprade currently under way, we provided half a million dollars for the third and final stage of the Middle Trundle Road Upgrade, ” Mr Colless said.

“Middle Trundle Road is not only the most direct link from the Parkes Shire area to the Newell Highway, Mugincoble Silos and Central West Livestock Exchange but it also provides the townships of Trundle and Tullamore a more direct access to the Parkes urban centre.

“For safety reasons, heavy vehicles often had to bypass Middle Trundle Road and instead pass through the village of Bogan Gate, adding 8km to each trip.

“These upgrade works will cut travel time by roughly 10 minutes in each direction, boosting productivity and saving transport costs for local businesses.”

Parkes Shire Council Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton thanked both the Australian and NSW Governments for their support to upgrade Bogan Way and Middle Trundle Road — both vital to the rural freight network in the region.

"It is tremendous to see all levels of government working together to deliver these vital upgrades to Middle Trundle Road, linking the Parkes Shire from north to south with our neighbouring shires of Lachlan and Forbes," Councillor Newton said.

"The multi-stage upgrade has already seen a reduction in travel times, enhanced accessibility for Restricted Access Vehicles and supply chain efficiencies, and improved safety for all motorists.

“As a feeder to Middle Trundle Road, it is important to bring The Bogan Way up to standard to allow for safe road train access.

“It's envisioned that the upgrade may also allow for an extension of access to Class 3 Road Trains and Higher Mass Limit vehicles, reducing the amount of heavy vehicles on our regular road network, in turn improving safety for general road users.”

The Bogan Way Upgrade is expected to be completed by July 2019, weather permitting.