Expect detours and delays in this area as upgrades begin. Photo: Transport NSW.
Major work to straighten and widen the notorious Willbriggie bend on Kidman Way – the site of February’s fatal truck crash south of Griffith – will begin next week.
The Australian and NSW governments are spending $5 million on the project, which targets a 750 metre stretch of road about 20 kilometres south of Griffith near Silo and Coppard roads.
The bend made headlines in February when a truck struck a guard rail near Silo Road, trapping the driver, who later died at the scene despite rescue efforts.
Transport for NSW says the work is designed to make the road safer and easier to navigate, particularly for heavy vehicles and the growing amount of traffic using Kidman Way.
The project essentially means the road will be straightened, widened and fitted with new safety barriers.
Crews will also build safer turning lanes at the intersections with Coppard Road, Silo Road and Cush Crescent — areas used regularly by local motorists and trucks servicing farms and grain facilities.
Major construction starts on Monday 25 May and is expected to continue until late October, weather permitting.
Work will generally take place between 6 am and 6 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, with Sunday work possible if needed.
Motorists travelling through the area should expect changed traffic conditions, including traffic controllers, reduced speed limits and single-lane sections. Drivers are being warned to allow an extra 10 minutes for trips through the site.
There will also be a significant local detour.
Silo Road will be closed between Kidman Way and Cotterill Road for the duration of the project, with traffic diverted via Adams and Cotterill roads.
Transport for NSW says oversize and overmass vehicles wider than 4.5 metres will need assistance from traffic controllers to get through the work zone.
A full overnight closure of Kidman Way is also planned while crews install temporary drainage.
The closure will run from 6 pm to 6 am on Sunday 31 May, with motorists diverted via North Kooba Settlers Road, Wilga Road, Irrigation Way and Whitton-Darlington Point Road.
That detour could add up to 30 minutes to travel times.
The Willbriggie section of Kidman Way has seen several serious crashes in recent years, including the fatal truck crash earlier this year and other deadly incidents along the corridor south of Griffith.
