By JONATHON HOWARD
A “DEATH TRAP” was how Tenterfield Shire residents and Independent Member for New England, Tony Windsor, described the Bolivia Hill bypass in a report that helped secure Federal Government funds to resolve the issue.
In handing down of the Federal Government’s 2013-’14 Budget last week, Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan announced $80 million to realign the dangerous stretch of road.
Mr Windsor had been campaigning to have the Bolivia Hill section realigned for many years and pointed to an independent road assessment which highlighted the Bolivia Hill section of the New England Hwy as a “major safety concern”.
“The Bolivia Hill south of Tenterfield has been the scene of a number of fatal accidents and other accidents causing serious injury,” Mr Windsor said.
“The risk of future accidents could be significantly reduced through the realignment of the New England Highway at this section of the road.
“This $80m Federal Government contribution under the National Highway funding 80/20 formula with the states will see the realignment feasibility acted upon when complete.
“I am very grateful for the Federal Government’s commitment to moving on the realignment feasibility of this dangerous stretch of the New England Highway and look forward to the NSW Government committing to their contribution as a priority too.
“I also recognise the support of the Tenterfield Shire Council and particularly former Mayor Toby Smith for helping to keep the need for the realignment on the agenda.”
Tenterfield Shire Council had lobbied for many years to fund for a feasibility study to ascertain the most viable safety treatment for Bolivia Hill, with suggestions that a second, divided carriageway be built for northbound traffic.
Mr Windsor said the next task was to finalise the Tenterfield heavy vehicle by-pass preferred route.
