Major traffic delays expected on Mullumbimby Road

LONG delays are expected on Mullumbimby Road from September 8, with Byron Shire Council urging drivers to take alternative routes.

The road will remain open but only one lane of alternating traffic will operate between McAuleys Lane and The Saddle Road while the section is rebuilt. Council said the works will run for several weeks.

Drivers are being advised to use Myocum Road or Coolamon Scenic Drive instead, with heavy vehicles directed to Myocum Road.

Phil Holloway, the council’s director of infrastructure services, said measures would be put in place to handle the additional traffic.

“We know that Coolamon Scenic Drive is a windy road, and we will be making sure it is maintained to cope with extra traffic and cautionary signage is in place,” he said.

Further disruption is expected in October when Mullumbimby Road closes to outbound traffic for at least four months between The Saddle Road and Gulgan Road. Emergency services and school buses will be given priority access.

Night works are also scheduled in October between The Saddle Road and James Street.

The $5.3 million project, funded by the NSW and federal governments and council, aims to improve road safety, drainage and flood-damaged sections of the road.

Upgrades include shoulder widening, intersection improvements at McAuleys Lane, new surfaces, guardrails and line marking, as well as drainage work near Uncle Tom’s intersection and installation of a culvert to improve stormwater flow to Everitts Creek.