Motorists are angry and confused with the Roads and Maritime Service’s (RMS) planned construction of a roundabout at the Manning Street, Point Road intersection.
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During the Easter long weekend, traffic attempting to cross the Forster Tuncurry bridge was banked back to the Manning and Wallis streets roundabout on a number of occasions.
But, the question is, will or won’t construction go ahead?
While one RMS spokesperson said construction work on the controversial single lane roundabout would begin in May, the media unit has skirted the question.
“RMS is carrying out investigations in consultation with MidCoast Council to determine the feasibility of the roundabout,” the media spokesperson said.
“RMS will continue to keep the community updated as this project progresses.
“The NSW Government has provided $586,000 under the Safer Roads State Blackspot Program to improve safety at the Manning Street and Point Road intersection at Tuncurry.
“RMS is planning to upgrade the intersection to improve safety for motorists at the intersection.”
The spokesperson said RMS had carried out traffic modelling during the planning of this project.
In the five years to June 2016, there were 15 crashes at the intersection, including five which resulted in injury.
The majority of crashes were the result of motorists attempting to turn right onto Manning Street from Point Road.
While the roundabout was an RMS design, it was believed construction would be undertaken by MidCoast Council.
Markings of the proposed roundabout have already been put in place to help determine how traffic can best be managed during the expected four week construction period, RMS spokesperson said.
But the media unit claimed the area had been marked out as part of the investigation process and not to indicate a start to construction.
Tuncurry resident, Leon Austin did not believe the RMS had carried out enough consultation with members of the community.
“Eighty per cent of the community – as a democracy – say they do not want this,” Mr Austin said.
“The intersection is such that it needs a custom-made solution, not something that has been copied.”
A media release in early May, 2017 from local member, Stephen Bromhead invited members of the community interested in having a say on the Tuncurry project to contact the RMS project manager by Friday, May 12, 2017.
In August 2017, Maritime and Freight Minister, Melinda Pavey announced a $586,000 grant would be used towards upgrading the intersection.