Improvement works on Station Street are set to move underground as Wingecarribee Shire Council begins preparations to replace essential water services beneath the busy Bowral thoroughfare.
Council contractors will begin preliminary works in preparation of the excavation and replacement of the 50-year-old watermain starting Monday 25 July 2022.
Council’s Director Service and Project Delivery Karin Targa explained the importance of replacing the watermain.
“Council is taking a long-term approach to Station Street and using this opportunity to replace the old watermain before we lay the new road surface,” she said.
“This will ensure we don’t have to come back in a few years to dig up the new road and repair the old pipes.
“By renewing all the critical above and below surface infrastructure simultaneously we’re ensuring Station Street will better serve Bowral and the greater Shire for decades to come.”
Ms Targa said contractors would begin watermain excavation works on 25 July at Boolwey Street and progress north for 350 metres to Merrigang Street.
“Weather permitting, we anticipate the majority of pipe excavation and installation works to be complete by late September 2022,” she added.
Costs to excavate and replace the Station Street watermain is estimated at $800,000.
Onsite stormwater drainage and carpark improvement works at the southern end of Station Street will also continue during this period. Both carpark and drainage improvement works at the southern entrance to Station Street are scheduled to be complete by late September 2022. On completion this carpark will provide an additional 150 car spaces.
Meanwhile, the design for the Railway Station carpark at the northern end of Station Street is currently being reviewed by Transport for NSW (TfNSW). A decision on the construction of this carpark by TfNSW is also expected by September 2022.
Further works yet to be scheduled include paving and stone works, tree pruning and preservation of the heritage camelia garden within the Bowral Train Station. The tender to undertake the road pavement works is expected to be awarded in August with works scheduled to start the following month. Tender details will be announced once finalised.
“These renewal works will inevitably cause some temporary disruption to nearby businesses and motorists,” Ms Targa said. “Council will undertake all efforts to stage the works in order to minimise any impacts.”
