TWEED SHIRE Council is strongly advising motorists to avoid Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads West, during the next two weeks as the road is reconstructed.
Reconstruction of Kennedy Drive began today (October 24) and will last another nine working days until Monday, November 7. This is the final task in a five-year, $9 million project to upgrade the major arterial road.
Traffic congestion is set to worsen on Wednesday, October 26 as the southern lane of the bridge across Cobaki Creek will be closed to allow the eastern approach to be repaired. This closure will occur between 10am and 2pm to minimise the impact on peak-hour traffic.
Traffic delays were monitored today (October, 24), with eastbound vehicles taking 30 minutes to drive from the Panorama Plaza shops to Limosa Road at 8.30am. By 2.30pm, the eastbound flow was down to 13 minutes and by 3.30pm, peak-hour traffic had begun early and wait times increased substantially.
During the afternoon peak, westbound traffic moved very slowly taking 20 minutes to travel just over a kilometre. At this time, traffic management was obliged to give westbound traffic priority to ensure no tailbacks on the high-speed Pacific Motorway.
“Despite the delays today, motorists are being very tolerant and courteous,” said Council Construction Engineer Bob Hanby. “They understand there is no easy alternative when it comes to Kennedy Drive.
“Our advice remains: the only way to avoid congestion is travel early and get through before 7 in the morning or go via Bilambil and Terranora roads. And, from today’s lessons, the afternoon peak is starting early and motorists should consider going the alternate route regardless of the time of day.”