Wee Jasper Road Upgrade Underway

Published on 16 February 2018

Wee Jasper Road

Works have commenced in earnest this week on the $350,000 upgrade to a 320m long section of Wee Jasper Road just north of the Tumut Aerodrome. 

Council Director Assets and Infrastructure Matt Christensen said Wee Jasper Road is of significant economic importance to the region linking Tumut to the South and Brungle. 

“The road also acts as an alternative route to Gundagai, serving as a popular leisurely drive for many road users,” Mr Christensen said.

Council recognizes the importance of this road, and had identifided works required to increase the width, and address localized flooding and pavement issues on this section.

“The section of road currently being upgraded is subject to localised flooding which has caused significant potholing, edge breaks, cracking and deformation of the roadway surface,” Mr Christensen said.

The works will be undertaken in several stages commencing with the installation of new stormwater culverts and drains.

Mr Christensen explained that this will help to better protect the roadway into the future by reducing the access of water into the gravel pavement material that underlies the bitumen surface.

Once the drainage works are completed, sections of the gravel pavement material will be widened, reformed and stabilised. 

This process includes ripping, relaying, watering and compacting the gravel material to achieve a hard wearing pavement.

“Maintaining the integrity of the pavement is critical; it gives the roadway its strength and will reduce the impacts of flooding,” Mr Christensen said.

The final step is to then partly top with a new spayed bitumen and stone seal to waterproof the underlying pavement.

In total about 320 metres of Wee Jasper Road will be upgraded to a wider sealed road with improved shoulders, improved stormwater drainage and pavement.

To undertake the works safely some part road closures will be required which may cause minor disruption and delays to the movement of traffic in and around the worksite.

Motorists are encouraged to plan their trip and ensure they leave a little bit earlier.

“We ask that drivers be patient and slow down for our road workers –it will only add a few minutes to your trip and will help us to ensure the safety of our work sites, road workers and fellow motorists,” said Mr Christensen.

Works commenced on the 5 February and are planned to be completed by the third week of March subject to good weather condition.

For more information please contact Director Assets and Infrastructure Matt Christensen on 6941 2555 or [email protected].