Mitre & Howick St roundabout safety upgrade

Published on 08 October 2024

The Mitre and Howick Street roundabout is set for a safety upgrade.

General Manager David Sherley said Council has received $445,000 from the Federal Government’s Black Spot to upgrade the roundabout.

“Works will start on site next Tuesday 15 October with the first of the works requiring a full road closure of the intersection for three weeks. Anyone accessing the hospital during this time will need to detour around the works site.

“Council has been working with the hospital and other organisations including local bus companies to ensure staff, patients and visitors can still access the hospital throughout the roadworks.  Parking in the precinct will remain unchanged and temporary bus stops will be in operation, but those needing to access the hospital need to be aware the road works will impact the direction which the hospital can be accessed from.

“The full road closure for the first three weeks will be followed by further works which will be undertaken under traffic control.  The roundabout upgrade is expected to be completed in mid December,” Mr Sherley said.

The upgrade works include:

• Removal and replacement of the existing centre island apron with a larger apron. The central landscaped part of the centre island will remain unchanged.
• Removal and reconstruction of all existing splitter islands to remove slip and increase pedestrian refuge space at crossings.
• The centre island apron and splitter island reconstruction works include level adjustments to improve drainage and road pavement crossfall.
• Milling of existing road surface and placement of new asphalt to match the new larger centre island and road pavement alignment/levels and provide a smooth and high, grip driving surface.
• New line marking and signage relocation to suit the new roundabout geometry.

How will the works be scheduled?

• Stage 1 – milling/removal of existing asphalt pavement, removal of existing splitter islands, construction of the new concrete roundabout centre and placement of new asphalt pavement. This work is expected to take 3 weeks and are planned to be undertaken with a full roundabout closure.
• Stage 2 - construction of new splitter islands, line marking and signage. These works are expected to take 4-6 weeks, subject to favorable weather. The Stage 2 works are planned with no disruption to traffic or closures. However, depending on site conditions, closing of one or more approach legs to the roundabout may be required for 1-2days in isolation to allow works to be undertaken safely.