$9 million in funding from the state and federal governments was announced in September to fix up the dangerous intersection after significant safety concerns were raised by locals.

“Work will include bridge widening, upgrading of the railway level crossing to include half booms and traffic lights at the intersection which will integrate with the rail signalling system,” Member for Murray Adrian Piccoli said while inspecting the intersection on Friday.

Mr Piccoli was joined by Roads and Maritime Services regional manager of southwest NSW Lindsay Tanner.

Mr Tanner said minor activity would start on the intersection in the next 12 months with major activity within 18 months.

The intersection is set to be complete within three years.

“The tricky bit is getting the traffic lights and the boom gate systems to talk to one another but it is a big development process overall,” he said.

“We really want to do this with the least amount of traffic disruption for residents,” he said.

“As we progress on the development of the project we will be talking to the community about how we can minimise the disruptions and we will certainly work very hard to do so.”

Mr Piccoli said the upgrade was focused on the safety of residents, noting that there had already been a life lost at the intersection and emphasising safety had to come before concerns about alternative routes.

“When this is finished the link road will go all the way to Walla Avenue and will also stop heavy vehicles coming through the CBD,” he said noting that Hanwood Road would also be getting an upgrade with an installation of a roundabout.

Member for Farrer Sussan Ley said the intersection was a notorious local black spot that needed to be fixed.

“Widening the intersection will provide vastly improved access for the numerous freight movements through Yoogali, deliver safety improvements for other road users and make it suitable for road train use in the future,” she said.

“So it is money very well spent.”