Roads to be included in council condition assessment

Peninsula roads will be included in a road condition assessment by Central Coast Council.

Comprising more than 2200km of sealed road pavement, the $200,000 project will provide a road condition assessment that will underpin the future allocation of funds and resources.

Council Administrator Mr Ian Reynolds said the data collected would be used to develop future road renewal programs and determine the most effective way to treat and manage Council's road assets.

"The condition assessment is an extensive undertaking, but once completed we will have data on every road, to assist in programming future works effectively and efficiently.

"In the meantime, we will continue our works to maintain and improve our road assets, with more than 500 road renewal or upgrade works this financial year, and an even greater number expected to be carried out in the year ahead."

Council group leader Mr Mike Dowling said the project would result in high definition video imagery for all Council roads and ensure accurate measurement of road defects using advanced laser technology.

"Council has engaged data collection specialists to undertake this comprehensive assessment by using the latest technologies to provide an accurate overview of our entire road network," said Mr Dowling.

"This information will enable us to effectively allocate funds and resources to support our future capital works programs.

"This approach is considered industry best practice and it's the first time work of this detail has been undertaken on the Central Coast.

"We will be taking the opportunity to catalogue, map and assess all regulatory signage, line marking and raised pavement markers to provide a comprehensive picture of all road-related assets."

The project will be undertaken Newcastle company Australian Surface Testing, which was awarded the contract following extensive evaluation, according to council administrator Mr Ian Reynolds.

"The project is designed to help ensure a consistent approach to road renewal investment is applied across the Central Coast Council area, and so address inconsistent and inadequate approaches inherited from the two former Councils," he said.

"The data collected will enable Council to apply the most cost-effective road treatment, in the right location, at the right time, saving money over the life of the network and lifting the overall general standard of the region's roads over time.

"The data collection project is scheduled for completion in September.

"The information will be used to develop Council's Delivery Program for 2018-19.

"Once adopted, regular project updates will be available via the Roads and Drainage interactive maps available at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au," he said.

Mr Dowling said he encouraged residents to support the maintenance and development of the local road network by reporting any potholes.

To report a pothole contact Council on 4325 8222 or 4350 5555.

SOURCES:

Media release, 26 Apr 2017

Mike Dowling, Central Coast Council

Media statement, 27 Apr 2017

Ian Reynolds, Central Coast Council