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| Bob Pynsent |
BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT
It’s only been a day since the opening of Frame Drive Bridge at Abermain on Wednesday, but Cessnock Council has already begun to hear complaints from residents over increased congestion on connector roads.
It’s prompted Council to call on Roads and Maritime Services to honour two-year-old conversations to improve safety on various connector roads.
“We do anticipate the return of traffic on Frame Drive Bridge will have a profound impact as it will again serve as a major connector road to and from the Hunter Expressway,” Mayor Bob Pynsent said.
“The bridge has been open barely a day and we’ve already got complaints about queuing to get through both these intersections.”
The intersection of Hart Road, Government Road and Gingers Lane has been flagged as of particular concern, with Cr Pynsent calling on RMS to do something about it.
He says a round-a-bout or traffic lights need to be installed at the intersection as well as the intersection of Hart Road and Frame Drive.
“RMS needs to follow up on the commitment they gave to assist Cessnock City Council in the safety concerns with the opening of Frame Drive Bridge,” Cr Pynsent said.
“We’ve been talking, but there hasn’t been one cent of a financial commitment at this point.”
Community anger about the increased congestion has been of particular interest to Council, with Cr Pynsent saying there were pre-emptive complaints before Wednesday’s opening.
“We had a series of complaints before we even opened Frame Drive Bridge yesterday. The people have flagged this issue with us and that was existing before the bridge was damaged in the April storms,” he said.
“Now the bridge is opened, now is not the time to remain idle. We are urging the NSW Government to make this a priority to ensure the safety of our road users,” Cr Pynsent said.
The Frame Drive Bridge was demolished in April 2015, after it was badly damaged during the superstorm that blew itself across the Hunter.
Significant improvement, including adding a second lane and constructing the bridge out of concrete led to assurances that the bridge would have a use life of at least 100 years.
Significant improvement, including adding a second lane and constructing the bridge out of concrete led to assurances that the bridge would have a use life of at least 100 years.
