A $100,000 "temporary" Broke Road solution is now open, with council aiming for permanent repairs within 12 months despite a 40 week wait on "key elements" for the road's repairs.
Part of the road, a few hundred metres outside Broke village, was destroyed during floods in early July. Singleton Council said previously they were looking to rebuild the road so it can better withstand extreme flooding.
Broke Road is the town's main connection to Singleton. Alternate routes, which residents said were suffering because of the extra traffic, add up to 10 minutes to the already half hour drive.
Singleton Council said on Wednesday, August 10, that work had begun on a "temporary side track" through private lands to bypass the damaged section.
"The side track will be a single lane road with a 4.5t load limit that operate under the control of traffic lights. Exemption to the load limit will be approved for school buses and emergency vehicles only," council said.
At around 2pm today, council said the track is now open to traffic.
The track, council said last week, was estimated to cost around $100,000 and they will seek funding through NSW Disaster Assistance arrangements.
The temporary side track is being built due to the "likelihood of a long delay with rebuilding Broke Road", the council said.
"Council has also been exploring the procurement of required infrastructure for the Broke Road project and early advice indicates that there could be a 40 week lead in time to procure some key elements," they said.
"We thank residents for their ongoing patience and understanding as these remedial works are undertaken."
Despite this, council envisages works to be completed within 12 months.
Geotechnical investigations are underway this week to determine appropriate remediation works on Broke Road other roads in the township.
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