Dunns Road has officially reopened to traffic after the successful completion of the Dunns Road Upgrade project.
The project’s key components included sealing of a 3.3km section of the road, upgrade of the Olympic Highway and Dunns Road intersection, and construction of a roundabout at the Holbrook Road and Dunns Road intersection.
These upgrades aimed to collectively address both growing traffic demands and safety issues as Dunns Road has become a popular shortcut for travellers heading into the city from the south.
Wagga Wagga City Council Director Strategy and Projects Phil McMurray noted that the completed upgrade marks a major improvement in safety, accessibility and efficiency for residents and travellers in the Wagga Wagga area.
“The Dunns Road upgrade was undertaken due to the need to make the road safer given its increasing popularity as a direct route from the Olympic Highway to the southern suburbs of Wagga Wagga, the airport, and major sporting and recreational facilities,” Mr McMurray said.
“Additionally, the roundabout at the Holbrook Road and Dunns Road intersection – along with the reduced speed limit to 60 kilometres per hour on the Dunns Road, Lloyd Road and Holbrook Road approaches – facilitates enhanced traffic flow in an area now safely capable of handling up to 1,000 vehicles per day.
“Council understands the closure of Dunns Road has been inconvenient for the public, and several setbacks have caused delays, so we thank the community for their patience while the upgrade was undertaken.”
Project Supervisor Nathan Elliott said he is pleased with the outcome of the upgrade.
“It’s great to have reached completion of the Dunns Road upgrade and to be able to reopen the road to the public,” Mr Elliott said.
“There were many challenges faced in delivering the project, such as the need to work with several external stakeholders, land acquisition, and drainage issues, all of which needed to be addressed to complete the project to a high standard.
“The completed Dunns Road upgrade signifies an important step forward in enhancing road safety and infrastructure in Wagga Wagga, ensuring smoother and safer journeys for all road users.”
The project was funded by the Australian Government ($5.8 million) and Wagga Wagga City Council ($2.5 million).
A formal ceremony marking the project’s completion is scheduled for April 2024.
