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Stage 3 Progress Summary
Refer to the Site Plans button at the top of this page for the Stage 3 engineering drawings, noting that:
- vegetation cover makes it difficult to identify the location of the works
- the Council has not adopted the horizontal alignment shifts included in the design drawings as they resulted in significant excavations into existing embankments (including rock) and additional large tree removal.
*The adopted alignment significantly reduces the construction impact and tree removal.
*The adopted alignment has been agreed on site in consultation with the Contractor and Parks & Wildlife Service officers.
*The road will be a different driving environment compared to the Stage 2 section to Mount Gnomon Farm.
*The road will continue to be a low traffic access to a recreational area through a forest reserve with trees very close to the road shoulders. The alignment will be winding, and users will be expected to drive accordingly.
*The road will have a 5.0m seal width and 0.5m shoulders.
*Tree removal has been the minimum necessary for construction (approx. 20 trees) and only after a prior walk-through and approval of the tree clearing with Parks & Wildlife Service representatives. Substantial effort was made to limit the loss of large and significant trees, tree ferns, and miscellaneous other native vegetation. The majority of the trees removed were either unhealthy or were not of high environmental value.
*Currently the Contractor is installing culverts and placing new pavement in 500m sections commencing at Mount Gnomon and progressing towards Penguin.
*The Stage 3 construction zone has a speed limit of 40km/h.
*Construction plant and workers are aware of private vehicles using the road and are making allowances for vehicles to safely traverse the site.
*Mount Gnomon Car Park:
- Refer to the Site Plans button at the top of this page for a layout for upgrading and sealing the car park
- Gravel has been placed in the Mount Gnomon car park
- The car park remains open for public use.
Stage 2 Progress Summary
*The Council and Designers have conducted a further detailed review of the project with a view to optimising value for money while best meeting the project objectives, including safety outcomes.
*Cost savings associated with the widening of the existing road, rather than a complete rebuild of certain sections of the road, are currently being assessed.
*Any savings and the available budget will be used for:
- widening of the whole length of the road between Hardys Road and Mount Gnomon Farm to a uniform width of 6.0m seal with 0.5m shoulders to better align with the Tasmanian Standard Drawings, and Austroads requirements for best practice in safety
- improve the hairpin bend immediately south of Hardys Road
- widen the one lane McBrides Creek Bridge at Ferndene to a two lane width.
*The additional scope of work is currently being progressed and is expected to be completed by the end of October 2024. During this period, the Contractor will be continuing with the construction of Stage 3.
*Due to the volume of construction traffic, a 60km/h speed limit has been established for Ironcliffe Road from Hardys Road to Mount Gnomon Farm.