Motorists urged not to risk Kennedy Drive

27 October 2016

Contractor ups the ante in push to do four days' work in three

Council is renewing its appeal for motorists to stay away from Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads West, for the next six working days as road reconstruction contractors up the ante in their work schedule.

The contractors are pushing to complete reconstruction of the northern lanes in three days, having just taken four to complete the southern lanes.

Tomorrow (Friday 28 October) their target is to apply 500 tonne of deep-lift asphalt, up 80 tonne on their best effort to date.

“It’s a very challenging target but one that will deliver an extra day to apply the final wearing surface and ensure we are off Kennedy Drive by 6pm on Monday 7 November,” said Construction Engineer Bob Hanby.

“So, with long hard days ahead, we are urging motorists to avoid Kennedy Drive as moderate to heavy traffic flows will very quickly blow out to frequent, long and extremely frustrating traffic delays.”

Tomorrow the traffic lanes will be switched at 6.30am to allow reconstruction to begin at 7am.

The switch should not unduly affect traffic as extra workers are being deployed to get it done quickly. But motorists should be aware they will be travelling for about 400m on the partly reconstructed southern lanes before moving back on to the northern lane as they travel between the bridge and Limosa Road.

As the worksite moves east, the traffic lanes will be modified to suit.

Again, motorists are advised to clear the roadworks before 7am or go the alternate route via Bilambil and Terranora roads. In the afternoon, motorists are urged to go the other way regardless of the time to avoid any risk of a tailback on the high-speed Pacific Motorway.

Road reconstruction is the final task in this five-year, $9 million project to upgrade this major arterial road.

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Caption: Contractors complete excavation work on the southern lanes of Kennedy Drive.