All roads lead to Bomen – $35M enabling roads project complete

The final piece of the $35M Bomen Enabling Roads project is complete.

Merino Road, a new link road to the Olympic Highway, was officially opened to traffic today.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM and Wagga Wagga City Council General Manager James Bolton were joined by Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP and Member for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire MP for the official opening.

Also joining for the official proceedings was Roads and Maritime Services Regional Manager Lindsay Tanner, representatives from BMD Constructions, who completed the works, ARTC and a number of Bomen-based businesses.

The Bomen Enabling Roads project has been taking shape since November last year.

Since this time, 365 staff have dedicated a total of 110,000 staff hours to the project, more than half-a-million tonnes of dirt was moved to make way for the new roads with a total of 65,000 tonnes of gravel laid for the road surfaces.

The project has included the construction of 7.1kms of new roadways, including the Byrnes Road deviation road, Merino Road, Dorset Drive, a new intersection on the Olympic Highway, two concrete roundabouts, purpose-built entry to the Livestock Marketing Centre and rail underpass which closed the Dampier Street level crossing.

Mr Bolton said the Bomen Enabling Roads project had a number of significant advantages.

“There’s improved safety for all motorists and better access for Higher Mass Limit (HML) vehicles, both into the Bomen Business Park and connections to the Olympic and Sturt highways,” he said.

“Completion of the Bomen Enabling Roads Project also supports the potential development of the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RIFL) Hub.”

The RIFL Hub, combined with the Bomen Enabling Roads project, will help facilitate effective and efficient movement of freight to and from Sydney, Melbourne and other major destinations.

Councillor Conkey said Wagga Wagga was ideally placed halfway between Melbourne and Sydney, and both the enabling roads and RIFL Hub, built on this strength.

“The new infrastructure supports existing Bomen-based industries, while paving the way for new industry investment in our city, helping to further strengthening our local economy,” Cr Conkey said.

The Bomen Enabling Roads project was made possible through funding contributions from all three levels of government.

“The completion of road infrastructure enhancements at Bomen is the vital first step in the development of the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub, which will become an important cog in the Liberals and Nationals’ Government Inland Rail project,” Mr McCormack said.

“This rail network will mean Wagga Wagga’s industrial hub will be more attractive and more accessible to businesses which in turn will only strengthen the city and region’s economy.

“This ongoing project is a testament to three tiers of government working together to achieve a common goal.”

Member for Wagga Wagga Mr Maguire added the project had significant short and long-term benefits.

“Road access and traffic safety has been vastly improved around the Bomen Industrial area thanks to the Bomen Enabling Roads Project.

“The project will have huge impact on the flow of traffic allowing for greater access to all industries present in the area.

“Furthermore, the new road extensions will facilitate future industrial growth, jobs and prosperity for the region well into the next century.”

Bomen Enabling Roads milestones

• November 2016 – Earthworks start on site
• February 2017 – All roadways formed
• March 2017 – Work starts on road underpass
• May 2017 – Concrete poured for two new roundabouts and bitumen works start
• July 2017 – Byrnes Road realignment road opens to north and south bound traffic travelling between Wagga Wagga and Junee
• September 2017 – Opening of Dorset Drive and road underpass to motorists, closure of Dampier Street level crossing
• November 2017 – Opening of Merino Road to traffic and official opening of project

Benefits of Bomen Enabling Roads

• Cater for future traffic demand – estimated peak hour traffic volume, including Olympic Highway traffic, is 3274 light vehicles and 676 heavy vehicles
• Improve and address existing traffic constraints
• Address significant safety concerns
• Stimulate economic growth by opening up hundreds of hectares of industrial zoned land in Bomen Business Park
• Support the potential development of the RiFL Hub

Bomen Enabling Roads funding

• Federal Government - $14.5M
• State Government - $8.3M
• Wagga Wagga City Council - $12.5M