Singleton Council is set to start works on one of its major repair projects that will once again connect rural villages by road.
It comes as the region continues to recover from damage, from multiple flooding events, over the past couple of years.
The latest work, starting this week, will replace sections of The Inlet Road at Bulga, which were washed away in July 2022.
It’ll include the construction of two new stormwater culverts, located about 3.2 kilometres from Putty Road, and road resurfacing.
Council’s director infrastructure and planning services Justin Fitzpatrick-Barr said the project was a big-ticket item in the organisation’s flood recovery works program.
“For more than a year we’ve been working towards repairing the devastation caused by these events,” he explained.
“But, factors outside of our control, like material availability and access to disaster funding, have slowed us down.
“The Inlet Road culvert replacement is one of the bigger items on our flood recovery works program.
“So, it’s great to see construction start on this project.
“Not only will these works repair the two gaps created in the road by floodwater, restoring the link between properties and the village of Bulga, but the replacement culverts have been designed to ensure The Inlet Road can withstand further natural disasters.”
Byrne Pipe and Civil was awarded the tender to undertake the $1.5million project, funded through Transport for NSW’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
During works there will be earthmoving machinery, trucks, cranes, construction workers and materials on site.
The Inlet Road sidetrack will remain open during this period, however, it will close once the project is complete.
Work is scheduled between Mondays and Fridays between 7am and 5pm and, where approved by Council, some may occur on a Saturday.
“Road traffic management will be in place,” Mr Fitzpatrick-Barr said.
“Motorists are advised to slow down, take caution and follow signage.
“Works are planned to be completed by mid-December, weather permitting.”
Almost $6 million is being injected to repair the local road network in the Bulga, Broke, Milbrodale and Paynes Crossing villages following widespread damage during the July 2022 flooding event.
Access to disaster funding, material availability and lengthy approval processes from other levels of government have impacted timelines for these projects.
Council, led by Singleton mayor Sue Moore, is proactively advocating to the state and federal governments for improvements to emergency management and recovery processes.
For more information, view council’s Advocacy Agenda at singleton.nsw.gov.au/advocacy
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