February 26, 2009

Major new works to improve drainage through the CBD in the Hill St area will begin this weekend but will also cause some disruption for local traffic and parking for about a month.

The intersection of Kable Ave and Hill St will be closed to all traffic from early Saturday (Feb 28) until late Sunday (March 1) to allow the digging of underground trenches from Bicentennial Park under the roadway into Hill St.

Traffic flows from the Paradise end of Kable Ave and through to White St will be disrupted and detours will be in place.

The continuation of the $465,000 project on Monday will see works progress up Hill St towards Peel St and will mean the closure of that block to all through traffic until about March 27.

Local businesses will retain access to their properties in that area but it will have major implications for many businesses because many workers park in that block and will need to find alternative spaces.  TRC suggests the Hill St car park as an easy best option.

The drainage works will deliver a new standard in stormwater disposal in Tamworth.

Project engineer Graeme McKenzie says the works are part of the larger Hill Street drainage project and will link to new stormwater pipes installed in Peel St a couple of years ago.

The project will better channel stormwater runoff from the east Tamworth hills to the Peel River but will also deliver better quality water to the river than in the past.

A huge gross pollutant trap dug underground in Bicentennial Park a month ago will basically filter more plastic, bottles, bags and silt, and stop them flowing into the river. The concrete trap measures about 3.5metres by 4.5metres and is set about 3.5metres underground.

“It will improve the environmental quality of water going into the Peel, as well as provide a superior stormwater drainage system in that area,” Mr McKenzie said.

The drainage works involve the excavation of deep trenches and the lifting and placement of large concrete stormwater pipes along the existing roadway in Hill St, and because of that and the necessity for heavy machinery, TRC decided it was safer to close the entire block to through traffic rather than progressive sections.