Residents, motorists and visitors to Hunter Valley wine country are set to benefit with the completion of major intersection upgrades along the key Pokolbin route through Broke and McDonalds roads.
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The NSW Government provided $9.7 million through the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund to upgrade the intersection to provide twin roundabouts.
The project was part of the government’s $20 million commitment from the 2011 election to upgrade vineyard roads.
The intersection upgrade started in July last year and was carried out by Cessnock City Council.
Along with the twin roundabouts, large sections of both roads were rebuilt to improve traffic flow, and shared were constructed for pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent said the community response has been overwhelming.
“Feedback from local businesses and vignerons in the Pokolbin area has been positive with the benefits of the upgrade now visible,” Cr Pynsent said.
“These new roundabouts are a substantial new feature which will help improve safety as well as manage traffic for commuters, tourists and concert goers.”
Roche Group Leisure and Hospitality Division general manager Kyle McKendry said the vineyard road upgrades were proving positive for local businesses in Pokolbin.
“The roads have been an issue for a number of years,” he said.
“Trying to deliver a first-class experience doesn’t work when the roads take away from the experience.
“It (the upgrade) has taken the gaze off the roads and back to tourism,” he said.
“It feels like we are a first-class, international tourism destination, and will enable us to do better.”
Cr Pynsent also commended council’s crews for their work.
“The upskilling of staff is a great asset to our organisation,” he said.
Member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen (Nationals) conducted the official opening with Cr Pynsent, in the absence of roads minister Duncan Gay and Parliamentary Secretary for Hunter Scot MacDonald.
Cessnock MP Clayton Barr (ALP) said he was not invited to attend, which he labelled an “embarrassing oversight on Minister Gay’s behalf”.
Mr Barr congratulated Cessnock City Council and RMS on the completion of the project.
“This funding was promised in 2011 and committed to ensure the completion of this important infrastructure within our electorate,” he said.
“We have many locals and tourists who use this road regularly, so to witness the transformation first-hand has been gratifying.”
The roundabouts were the third stage of the vineyard roads project, following upgrades to Broke Road East in 2011 and Broke Road West in 2013.
The next stage of the vineyard road project will take in the full length of Hermitage Road with the intersection of Broke Road, a joint project between Cessnock and Singleton Councils.
The NSW Government has committed $16.7 million for the project under the Resources For Regions program, which provides infrastructure funding to mine-affected local government areas.
