Major survey underway to build back better roads in the Northern Rivers
One of the biggest road surveys in Regional NSW has commenced in the Northern Rivers to better inform the long-term rebuild of road and transport infrastructure in the region and ensure it can better withstand future floods.
One of the biggest road surveys in Regional NSW has commenced in the Northern Rivers to better inform the long-term rebuild of road and transport infrastructure in the region and ensure it can better withstand future floods.
The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation, in partnership with Transport for NSW and the seven Northern Rivers local councils, are undertaking a whole of network road condition assessment across all sealed roads in the Ballina, Byron Bay, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed LGAs.
The whole-of-network assessment is being completed by the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) and will continue across the region until the end of 2022.
Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation Chief Executive David Witherdin said the ARRB will test more than 5,500 kilometres of road surface to measure roughness, texture and rutting, and to gather digital imagery for visual rating and automated crack detection.
“This assessment informs how we’re going to prioritise more than $4.9 billion in infrastructure work, including a pipeline of more than $1.7 billion to address road and transport infrastructure rebuilding across the region,” Mr Witherdin said.
Transport for NSW Regional Director, North Region Anna Zycki said this work will support preparedness for future flooding events and will inform what works will take priority.
“Road and transport infrastructure are an important part of any community and this survey will lead the way in ensuring that Northern Rivers residents and industry have the infrastructure they need to support the ongoing recovery,” Ms Zycki said.
Specialised road scanning vehicles, including an Intelligent Pavement Assessment Vehicle and a Network Survey Vehicle, are being used to provide a comprehensive analysis of the scope of what needs to be done and key priority areas.
Northern Rivers councils and Transport for NSW are working with the NRRC’s Infrastructure Coordination Office, which is prioritising the region’s infrastructure needs and examining ways to manage supply constraints and capacity issues.
The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation is leading the reconstruction effort for essential assets, infrastructure and housing in the Northern Rivers, including building back in a resilient way so the region can better cope with future natural disasters.
For more information about the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation and its Infrastructure Coordination Office, visit the NRRC website.
Background information
- Intelligent Pavement Assessment Vehicle (iPAVE) is a prime mover and trailer equipped with a heavy weight over a single rear axle. The iPAVE1 will be used on rural roads. A series of lasers mounted in the trailer measures changes in velocity from contact with the pavement as the truck travels down the road at traffic speed. iPAVE vehicles can also measure roughness, texture, rutting, digital imagery for visual rating and automated crack detection
- Urban roads will be tested using the Network Survey Vehicle and will measure the road surface at a single pass. The vehicle will test roughness and texture via a multi laser profilometer, visual condition using high-resolution imagery, rutting and crack detection using a laser crack measurement system.