Councillors awarded local company John Michelin and Son the contract for the last stage of the CBD Bypass, the Market Street and Monaro Street intersection reconstruction, for $1.4million at the council meeting on Wednesday, May 17. 

Before awarding the contract, councillor Russell Fitzpatrick voiced his concern that – given the works would not start for a number weeks – it would be an extremely tight deadline for the company to complete the roadworks before summer. 

Mayor Kristy McBain said the works are due to start after the June long weekend, but was adamant that they would be finished before Christmas. 

“The staff had worked with the tenderer and has narrowed down the scope of the project so it would be complete within 18 weeks rather than 24 weeks,” Councillor McBain said. “Because the aim for us is obviously to make sure there is no interruption to any traffic flow leading into summer.” 

Cr McBain said the company was confident it could stick to the new timetable. 

“Inclement weather may have an impact on the project but we are pretty keen to make sure the tenderer sticks to the work schedule put out. They are aware of how crucial getting the project completed in a timely manner is.” 

Council’s director of transport and utilities Terry Dodds said seeing the bypass finished would be very exciting for Merimbula. 

“We’re expecting it to make a huge difference to the traffic flow in Merimbula, as per the original consultants report in 2009,” Mr Dodds said. 

The bypass should allow the 17-20 per cent of vehicles which were previously just passing through Merimbula to do so without having to drive through the main shopping area.

Mr Dodds said the access road behind Main Street should also be finished by Christmas, after which a post construction review of the traffic flow will take place which “will greatly influence not only the CBD masterplan but subsequent traffic and parking management in years to come”.