The complete makeover of Narrabri’s main street is nearing its final planning and construction phase.

The Council will undertake the rebuild and re-sealing of Maitland Street in a staged program over six months to minimise disruption for businesses and shoppers.

Work will start in six to eight weeks and take about six months to complete.

The much antitipated project is the biggest ever undertaken in Narrabri’s CBD.

The final result will be a smooth asphalt surface over the top of new road foundations and new water mains and connections to businesses.

Narrabri Shire Council has provided an update on progress of the CBD upgrade in which Maitland street is undergoing its major facelift above and below the surface.

“The replacement of water mains in and around the Narrabri CBD began in March and is nearing completion,” a shire council spokesperson said.

“The pre-existing water main pipes had been in use since the 1970s and were found to be in poor condition during the replacement process.

“This resulted in unforeseen issues that prolonged the estimated time to complete the water main replacement process.

“Excavation of the new main alongside the existing water main resulted in a number of leaks which has lead to the rapid deterioration of the existing road surface.

“Water main contractors completed works in Bowen Street May 18 beside the Court House.

“Work has now moved to Lloyd Street to complete the main connection.

“Work will be undertaken in Doyle Street to connect the new main to the Doyle Street lateral pipelines.

“This will require the closing of the Maitland Street/Doyle Street roundabout for two to three days.

“All connections to businesses have been completed and clean-up of the water main works is expected to be finished by the end of May.

“Once the contractors have completed their works, the council will arrange to repair some of the trenches and a general clean-up of the street to make it safe before the road replacement works are scheduled to begin in about six to eight weeks.

“During the construction of the water main, Council found that the road subgrade and base layers vary significantly along the length of Maitland Street.

“This information was a key element in undertaking investigations to determine the correct design of the pavement to ensure the that it will meet the requirements of the community.

“After thorough investigations, two designs are being prepared for the construction of the road.

“The first design is a full depth asphalt layer, the second has a gravel subgrade, base and thin asphalt layer.

“The first option is expected to be quicker to construct and provide the best results however, it is also expected to be more expensive.

“The tender documentation is currently in the final stages of preparation and is expected to be released to the market mid-June.

“The cost of the works will require a Council Resolution to award the contract, hence the six to eight week gap between the current works and the road construction.

“Tenders are expected to be awarded in July 2020 with immediate start on the works.

“Road construction work is expected to take a total of six months to complete due to the complexity and the volume of soil that needs to be removed from the main street.

“It is expected that each bay will take three to four weeks to complete. “Currently, Council is proposing to have two bays open on the same side of the street at any given time.

“Ultimately this decision will be up to the contractor and how they can deliver the works in the most efficient way.

“No works will be undertaken during the Christmas shopping period from December 1 through to December 31, allowing shoppers to have full access to businesses during the Christmas period on a freshly sealed main street.

“More information will be available once the tenders have been presented to Council for consideration in July.”

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