Published on 04 March 2022
Earthworks on the Heavy Vehicle Alternative Route (HVAR) have commenced on 1 March 2022, kicking off Stage 1 construction works following award of the $1.65 million contract.
Mayor Cr James Tehan said seeing the earthworks begin was a ground-breaking moment.
“The commencement of these earthworks begins the transformation of a long-awaited heavy vehicle alternative route for the Mansfield township,” said Cr Tehan.
“The completed bypass will redirect heavy vehicles away from residential and commercial streets of Mansfield’s central business district. This will increase road safety, improve traffic flow, increase access to street parking and reduce noise. This will have ongoing benefits for the community and our economy.”
Stage 1 of the project will include upgrades to Withers Lane and Dead Horse Lane to seal the unsealed sections of these roads and a new intersection at the corner of Dead Horse Lane. Works on Stage 1 are expected to continue until the end of July 2022 and include new kerb and channel, earthworks, bitumen surfacing, culvert construction and line marking.
North East Civil Construction successfully tendered for the $1.65 million contract. These works are part of Council’s long-term traffic and transport strategies. This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Mansfield Shire Council. Council has budgeted $2.6 million for both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the project and has received $1.95 million from the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.
Drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible as there will be traffic interruptions during the construction of the HVAR.