Rumble strips are being installed along 106 kilometres of the Mid-Western Highway between Bathurst and Cowra in NSW’s central west, with changed traffic conditions in place while the work is carried out.
According to Transport for NSW (TfNSW) regional director west, Alistair Lunn, Audio Tactile Line Marking (ATLM) is a proven road safety treatment in reducing the number of crashes by 15 to 25 per cent.
“Safety is our number one priority and using ATLM, otherwise known as rumble strips, along some of our key regional routes is an effective measure we can use to increase the chances that all our road users will get home safely,” Lunn said.
“If a vehicle leaves its travel lane for whatever reason, such as fatigue or inattention, the rumble strips will provide that vibration effect that alerts the driver to correct their path and avoid a serious accident.
“Our crews will install 147 kilometres of ATLM and will be moving along the road corridor with mobile traffic control.”
Work is being carried out between 7am and 6pm, seven days a week.
“We ask motorists to be alert and patient, slow down if they approach our convoy and pass only when it is safe to do so, or otherwise allow the convoy to pull over if necessary to allow you to safely pass,” advised Lunn.
TfNSW says their will be minimal impact to residents of Bathurst, Blayney and Cowra with the ATLM only being installed along the highway outside of towns where the speed limit is 80 km/h or above, and at least 200 metres or more away from homes.
The project will continue until June 1, weather permitting.
Rumble strips are also currently being installed to 500 kilometres of the Mitchell Highway between Orange and Bourke. Works along this stretch are due for completion by the end of May.
These works are part of a $46 million package from the NSW government to install rumble strips and enhance line markings on key regional routes, with more than 2700 kilometres of rumble strips being installed.
If safety is their objective, instead of rumble strips, how about they fix the bloody roads?