At last! The Alstonville bypass will become a reality
Great news for Alstonville residents and those who commute through the village — the bypass construction is about to start.
Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin today announced that the contract for construction work for the bypass has been awarded to Reed Constructions Australia.
“The Rudd Government is getting on with the job of delivering better infrastructure for the country and this important step ensures we will see construction start on this project in April,” Ms Saffin said.
“I will be contacting Reed Constructions to congratulate them and to ensure there’s employment for local people on the project.
“The Rudd Government is providing $90 million for the Alstonville Bypass project on the Bruxner Highway, which will separate local traffic from through-traffic in area.
“More than 14,000 vehicles a day travel on this section of the Bruxner Highway, and locals tell me that some days it can be up to 20,000 vehicles, with around half of that being through traffic.
“The bypass will reduce traffic chaos on the main road through the heart of Alstonville while improving road safety and traffic flow along the Bruxner Highway between Ballina and Lismore.
“Alstonville residents have put up with heavy traffic for far too long. Now we have the green light to go-ahead with this announcement of the successful tender.
“This marks the beginning of the transformation of Alstonville from a heavy-traffic thoroughfare to a pedestrian-friendly heritage village.
“This project demonstrates the Australian Government working with the community to develop transport infrastructure which meets their needs.
“The local community has been instrumental in the planning stages for the Alstonville bypass.
“Bob Wilson from the Alstonville Bypass Committee has promised to dance in the street with me when work starts on the project, so I hope he’s polishing his dancing shoes.”
The Alstonville Bypass is expected to be open to traffic around the end of 2010.
For more information about the contract go to the RTA website at www.rta.nsw.gov.au
PICTURE: Janelle Saffin and Bob Wilson in Alstonville.
