A major $30 million investment will upgrade Summervilles and Gordonville roads in Bellingen Shire, strengthening two routes that became critical lifelines during the lengthy closure of Waterfall Way earlier this year.
The Minns Government funding will deliver road widening, resurfacing, drainage upgrades, improved line marking and roadside barriers as authorities work to improve safety and resilience across the regional road network.
Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the upgrades were designed to ensure the region was better prepared for future disruptions.
“Following the temporary closure of Waterfall Way earlier this year, Summervilles and Gordonville roads were used as the detour route,” Ms Aitchison said.
“This $30 million investment will strengthen these routes, improve safety, and ensure they can better handle increased traffic when it matters most.”
The works follow the landslip at the Gordonville cutting that forced the closure of Waterfall Way between Bellingen and Dorrigo for nine weeks, causing major disruptions for residents, businesses and freight operators across the Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands. Dorrigo Transit, a crucial local bus company supplying a regional shuttle service between Armidale and Coffs Harbour, cancelled the regional shuttle because Summerville’s Road wasn’t a viable detour for them.
Bellingen Shire Mayor Steve Allan said the closure highlighted how heavily communities relied on the alternative east-west connections.
“Council heard directly from the community through the Community Impact Survey about the significant and far-reaching impacts the nine-week closure had on people’s daily lives, local businesses and community connections,” Mayor Allan said.
The project will be delivered by Transport for NSW in partnership with Bellingen Shire Council, with a Road Safety Audit also identifying additional improvements that will now be incorporated into the broader program.
The funding builds on an existing $3.8 million Federal Government commitment through the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, which includes replacing two timber bridges with reinforced concrete structures and sealing a three-kilometre unsealed section of Summervilles Road.
Ms Aitchison said the investment was not simply a response to one weather event, but part of broader efforts to strengthen regional infrastructure.
“This is about responding to more than one event, and instead ensuring the region is better prepared for future weather impacts and unexpected closures,” she said.
Waterfall Way reopened under one-lane conditions in March, easing pressure on the temporary detour routes and allowing trucks up to three metres wide to return to the key transport corridor.
However, temporary barriers remain in place at the Gordonville cutting to protect motorists from potential rockfalls, and the road remains vulnerable to closure during heavy rain.
Mayor Allan said the latest funding would provide greater certainty for communities still concerned about the corridor’s long-term reliability.
“The funding is a vital investment in the resilience of our local road network,” he said.
“These upgrades will help strengthen key transport routes, improve reliability, and provide our communities with greater confidence in the alternative east-west access routes they rely on during Waterfall Way closures, while long-term solutions for the corridor continue to be pursued.”
Member for Oxley Michael Kemp said locals understood better than anyone how important the roads had become.
“Locals know better than anyone how important these roads became during the Waterfall Way closure,” Mr Kemp said.
“This investment will improve the safety and reliability of the routes which are part of daily life for families, freight operators and local businesses.”
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