About the Project
Construction works to upgrade the intersection of Thompson Street and the New England Highway Muswellbrook will commence in early January 2021, weather permitting.
The Thompson Street intersection was identified as a high priority for upgrade in the Muswellbrook Traffic study based on capacity and safety criteria and the objectives of the project are to:
- Provide safer access to Thompson Street and the New England Highway
- Improve functionality of the intersection
- Improve safety for pedestrians
- Provide capacity for future projected residential and commercial development growth in the area.
The works will include adjustments to the layout of the intersection involving kerb and gutter, drainage and road pavement construction and installation of traffic signals and pedestrian crossings at all three approaches to the intersection.
Council has engaged Contractors SD Group Pty Ltd who will establish on site and commence works on 10 January with works scheduled to be completed in June 2022.
During the period of construction, the intersection and approaches will be under traffic control management and road users may experience delays. Council asks the public to be patient during this construction period, drive with caution and obey all traffic control and signage at the site.
For further information and or enquiries regarding these road works please contact Council’s Manager of Roads, Drainage and Technical Services Kellie Scholes on 02 6549 3700.
2019-2020-0381 Thompson Street Signalisation - Review of Environmental Factors Report
2019-2020-0381 Thompson Street Signalisation - Thompson Street Drainage Plan
2019-2020-0381 Thompson Street Signalisation - Thompson Street Detail Plan
Construction Stages Map
Project Update 29/05/2022
Following the green light from Transport for NSW, Council’s contractor SD Group Civil and Infrastructure Services will commence construction of the Signalised Intersection on the New England Highway at Thompson Street on 2 May 2022.
The initial works will involve demolition of traffic medians and clearing of vegetation. To improve sight distance at the intersection, unfortunately it will be necessary to remove some of the existing trees within the median. However, landscaping on the affected section of the median will be reinstated at the end of construction.
During construction, the intersection and approaches will be under traffic control management and road users may experience delays. Please be patient during this time, drive with caution and obey all traffic control and signage at the site.
Project Update 30/05/2022
A revised 25 week construction program has been provided for the project. Works at the site are scheduled to be undertaken predominately during the day, however some night works are programmed.
Due to the type of the construction works and approvals required, there will be times when construction activities will be undertaken during night traffic conditions.
The contractor will implement all feasible and reasonable work practices, guided by Australian Standard AS 2436-2010 ‘Guide to Noise Control on Construction, Maintenance and Demolition Sties’ to minimise noise impacts to the surrounding residents.
The current construction works have commenced on the south bound lanes north of the intersection as stage one of the intersection upgrade. This work will impact normal traffic conditions at the site and road users are asked to drive carefully and obey all traffic control.
Project Update 25/07/2022
Construction of the signalised intersection is being undertaken in 4 stages (see above map) to allow for construction under full traffic conditions. Contractors SD Group are currently undertaking construction of stage 1.
Stage 1 involves the construction of new road pavement to support south bound traffic stopping at the lights, new kerb and gutter, improvements to stormwater drainage and footpath construction to facilitate the pedestrian crossing.
Work at the site commencing 25/7/22 will be to construct stormwater drainage and commence pavement base course construction, backfilling of kerb and gutter and concrete footpath construction.
The anticipated completion for these works are December 2022.
Project Update 15/08/2022
Construction works to upgrade the intersection of Thompson Street and the New England Highway will be progressing to the Stage 2 portion of works out of the total 4 stages tonight, 15 August 2022.
The progression into Stage 2 will involve a change in traffic conditions. During the period of construction, the intersection and approaches will be under traffic control management and road users may experience delays. Council asks the public to be patient during this construction period, drive with caution and obey all traffic control and signage at the site.
Project Update 12/09/2022
For the week commencing 12 September, activities will predominately involve pavement construction on Stage 2 and modifications to the large stormwater pit in Thompson Street. The new water main will be connected to the existing main.
This past week has seen the lowering and adjustments to the Telstra cables and pits, construction of drainage pits and pipes and preparation of subgrade on the area of road pavement.
Project Update 7/12/2022
The Thompson Street/Maitland Street signalisation works carried out a traffic switch to stage 4 works on the evening of Tuesday, 6 December 2022.
Commencing 7 December, the work will move onto the pavement construction of stage 4 (median area). The traffic switch will prevent south-bound traffic accessing Thompson Street (and McDonalds) directly from the south bound lane of Maitland Street. A detour is signposted for south bound traffic to facilitate access to Thompson Street and McDonalds.
Weather permitting, stage 4 traffic management will be implemented for a duration of approximately 3 weeks. Following completion of the stage 4 works, the barriers will be removed and asphalting of the pavement will be undertaken. At this time, the site will be returned to normal arrangements. Weather permitting, this is programmed to occur before Christmas.
Project Update 4/01/2023
This project has moved to stage 4 work on the central medians. During the stage 4 works, access to Thompson Street is available from the northbound lanes of the New England Highway only. A detour for southbound traffic has been implemented through Rutherford Road, Cassidy Avenue and Kamilaroi Street. These traffic arrangements will be in place until the completion of the stage 4 works.
Commencing 2 January, landscape works will begin within the central median of the New England Highway. This will continue the following week along with construction of the median kerb and heavily bound pavement material and tidying up the site facility to remove spoil stock pile.
From 16 to 20 January, installation of pedestrian fencing on the central median will begin along with spray sealing road pavement and milling and re-sheeting asphalt. Please note that asphalt works will be undertaken during the night of Thursday 19 and Friday 20 January, weather permitting.
Project Update 24/01/2023
Asphalt works progressed last week with some interruption due to weather. Further asphalt works are required and will occur tonight, Tuesday 24 January, weather permitting.
The asphalt works will provide the final seal to the road surface and complete the civil work component of the project. The remaining work at the site will involve the construction of electrical supply and commissioning of the traffic lights.
It is proposed the intersection will remain under work site traffic control conditions and function as an unsignalised intersection until the lights are commissioned by Transport for NSW.
PROJECT COMPLETE
The traffic signals have now been fully installed and activated, improving the level of service and safety for all road users. The community may see Contractors and Council staff working at the site again in the near future, to relocate a streetlight and undertake minor defect rectification works.
