The NSW Government says the construction of a roundabout in the Snowy Valleys at one of the riskiest intersections in the state is on schedule despite mixed support from residents.
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A 50-metre roundabout at the notorious Gocup Road and Snowy Mountains Highway intersection is due for completion by mid-2022 following significant community pressure after a number of fatal crashes and near misses there.
Some Snowy Valleys residents have said they would prefer to see the intersection moved from the site that Transport for NSW identified last year as being in the top 2.1 per cent of intersections in the state for risk.
But advice provided to the community in May said of the options considered, a roundabout was identified as offering the highest safety performance and best addressing residents' "specific safety concerns".
Andrew Groves, who manages forest harvesting and haulage contracting company Groves Logging in Tumut, said the intersection had long been a problem area for the estimated 30 trips his trucks make through it daily.
"I think from my point of view the positioning of the intersection is part of the problem," he said.
"Unfortunately our trucks are becoming bigger and longer and negotiating roundabouts is difficult at times ... Our trucks are constantly using it. The more trips they go through the more stress it places on the drivers."
Mr Groves welcomed the roundabout as a short-term safety measure but said he would still prefer to see the intersection moved.
"There's not enough vision entering the intersection. It's not opened enough really. A lot of light traffic don't know the problems loaded trucks face in slowing down or negotiating roundabouts," he said.
"What we've got to work with we've got to make it work, but I think long-term we definitely should have a plan to maybe move it at some point.
"But if [a roundabout] is what it needs to be, then I think we'd have to be happy with that."
Tumut Community Association president Christine Webb has also called for the intersection to be moved, citing similar concerns about poor visibility for approaching vehicles.
Grant Elliott, owner of Elliotts' Landscape Supplies in Tumut, said he supported plans for the roundabout as long as it could accommodate the turning circle of a B-Double truck.
"My first opinion was traffic lights. I think a roundabout is going to eliminate most of our problems, as long as it's going to be big enough," he said.
He said he didn't personally support moving the intersection.
"I think the whole town would disagree with me, but I think you're only moving the problem from one location to the next," he said.
Member for Wagga Joe McGirr campaigned for urgent safety upgrades at the intersection after the death of a young mother there in May last year.
He said the advice from TfNSW and the Centre for Road Safety was that moving the intersection would not be safer than constructing a roundabout.
"I'm aware that the residents dispute that, but moving the intersection does actually involve the construction of at least a couple of roads with new intersections," he said.
"The second issue, which to me is the most important issue, is that it will definitely take longer to build.
"TfNSW and the minister advised that a new intersection would take five years. I think given the danger of the intersection we shouldn't wait.
The Daily Advertiser contacted the office of NSW Roads Minister Paul Toole for comment, but didn't receive a response by deadline.
Catie McLeod
Catie is a reporter at The Daily Advertiser covering health and Wagga City Council. You can contact her on c.mcleod@dailyadvertiser.com.au or 0475 819 651.
Catie is a reporter at The Daily Advertiser covering health and Wagga City Council. You can contact her on c.mcleod@dailyadvertiser.com.au or 0475 819 651.
