PLANS to ease traffic congestion at Thurgoona will be fast-tracked when Albury Council considers its draft budget on Monday night.
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Improvements to the roundabout at the corner of Elizabeth Mitchell Drive and Thurgoona Drive will be expedited while the Kerr Road project would be realigned to create a new access point to the Hume Freeway.
Albury mayor Kevin Mack on Friday said the council was expected to approve the two major projects, which would significantly reduce traffic snarls in the city’s growth corridor at Thurgoona.
Cr Mack said a $900,000 project to improve the Elizabeth Mitchell Drive roundabout would now be completed within 12 months instead of the previously proposed three or four years.
“The design work has been done; it would start within six months and be finished about six months later,” he said.
“It is focused on relieving left-hand turners, which will relieve traffic congestion for the 15-minute peak in the morning and 15-minute peak in the evening.
“This is part of the solution for getting people to the schools and to work quicker.”
Cr Mack said the existing $6.2 million Kerr Road draft plans ended behind Thurgoona Park at a dead-end street.
He said that project would have completed the existing road east of Table Top Road.
“We’re saying that $6.2 million should be used on the western side of Table Top Road to connect the freeway,” he said.
“That gives another access point to Albury or Sydney for Thurgoona residents.
“That’s got to be a higher priority than building a road to a dead-end street.
“We’ve got an opportunity to design this precinct and to do it well.”
Cr Mack said he expected the Kerr Road realignment to be completed within two to three years.
He said the money was already in the budget for the original realignment, meaning work on the new route could start after July 1.
“We have $6.2 million in the budget to start right away but we’ll have to add to it,” he said.
Cr Mack said the proposed 2.1 per cent rates rise was reasonable.
He said other highlights of the budget would be fast-tracking extra shade and seating at Albury Swim Centre.
“That could start straight away and be ready for the next pool season,” he said.
