HIGH SPEED: Jason Minato is worried about the safety of his boys (from left) Alex, 6, Tyler, 4, and Ryan, 8, when they play on the front lawn of their North Griffith house. Vehicles are speeding past as they navigate detours around two sets of roundabout works. Picture: Anthony Stipo
THE double hit of roundabout works in North Griffith has residents angry about more than just confusing detours – many are suddenly faced with cars speeding down their normally quiet streets.
Carinya Street, Kelly Avenue and Wood Road have become busy thoroughfares as drivers attempt to navigate the labyrinth caused by work at the intersections of Boonah and Macarthur streets and Ortella Street and Wyangan Avenue.
Father of three Jason Minato, who lives within metres of Kelly Avenue, said the traffic had increased tenfold since the Ortella Street intersection was closed on June 5.
“From about 5pm onwards, there is a continuous line of cars until about 6.30pm,” Mr Minato said.
“That’s fine, we can deal with that, but I reckon most would be doing 60 to 65km/h.
Mr Minato said he was concerned for the safety of the children in the neighbourhood, especially those who caught buses to school.
The issue has been compounded by council’s failure to complete the Boonah Street roundabout before work started on Ortella Street.
The first project has been delayed by the March floods, a major construction error and a lack of available contractors.
Griffith City Council is still waiting for an asphalt contractor to confirm a date to complete the work.
Under pressure from NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), council made the decision to proceed with the second set of roadwork as planned.
It is expected to take six weeks.
“RMS wants the Ortella Street roundabout completed a week into July,” council operations manager Dallas Bibby said.
“We’ve managed to extend it for three weeks until the 20th so it absolutely has to be finished by then.”
