Parkes Shire Council has welcomed nearly $4 million in Federal Government funding towards the upgrade of Bogan Road, which it says will improve safety conditions and the freight of stock and grain.
Federal Member for the Riverina, Michael McCormack visited Parkes to pledge $3.18 million towards the $3.98 million upgrade through the Remote Road Users Upgrade Program (RRUP).
Mayor of Parkes Shire, Ken Keith OAM said the project involves extending the bitumen seal by four kilometres, upgrading three causeways to improve freight efficiency and HML access and the resheeting of 16 kilometres of unsealed road to improve drainage, alignment and pavement deficiencies.
“These upgrades will provide safer travel for all road users and enable the opportunity for larger vehicles to use this road,” said the Mayor.
Mr McCormack said Council identified that an upgrade of Bogan Road would benefit the community and local primary producers.
“When I was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, I made it my mission to deliver better and safer roads for rural and regional Australia,” Mr McCormack said.
Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Rural Roads Advisory Committee, Councillor Neil Westcott said, “This project is set to be delivered over the next three years. During the next financial year, we will undertake the design and investigation work, before construction commences in late 2023, with completion expected in early 2025”.
“Council will co-contribute $800,000 towards this project. Not only will this project improve the safety of Bogan Road, but it will also create local jobs for local people,” he said.
