JINGELLIC Road users have agreed to endure frustrating delays over an eight-week total road closure in a peak tourist period to complete the $3.5 million Yarara Gap upgrade.

The dangerous 2.2 kilometre section of the road linking Holbrook and the Upper Murray region including Jingellic has been the scene of two fatalities and numerous near misses.

The two-lane road narrows to only five metres at its steepest part.

Greater Hume Shire has secured $2.5 million in government funding and will add $1 million of ratepayers’ money to fix the dangerous section of road.

Major earthworks will be required as part of the project which will be completed in one hit.

Works have to be completed in the 2015-16 financial year or the council runs the risk of forfeiting the government funding.

Pre-planning for the project included the assessment of alternatives for traffic to detour around the construction site.

Four Mile Lane was considered as a detour for “local traffic” from the Lankeys Creek area and detouring other traffic via the Hume Highway also investigated by council staff.

Some of the local traffic alternatives have been relegated to stock routes or are gravel roads with only single lane bridges.

Additional money could have also been required to bring the detour routes up to an acceptable standard.

The preference of locals was for the project to be completed “under traffic” even though the construction period would take longer.
Road users are on notice about facing on average 10 minute delays at the construction site on a daily basis.

The estimated time to complete the road upgrade will be at least six months and council is under pressure to begin the job as soon as possible.
The council will meet next week to rubber stamp the preferred tender from RECivil.

The most appropriate time for the project to start is September to October to ensure completion during warmer months.

Tourists who flock to the Upper Murray area via Holbrook during the summer months will also need to factor in time delays as part of their plans.

But engineering director Greg Blackie said in the report to be presented to council next week the project was a high priority.

“The failure of a contractor to complete the works or delays by contractor issues would have serious consequences on completing the important final sealing of the road in the more appropriate conditions prior to winter,” he said.

“It would also impact on council’s ability to meet funding criteria timeframes.”