Roundabout builder named as revitalisation progresses

The plan to build a “northern roundabout” on South Western Highway hit an important milestone at the Manjimup Shire Council’s December 7 meeting when the construction tender was awarded.

TRACC Civil was chosen from two tenders to build the roundabout at a cost of $1.8 million.

Construction will likely begin in mid-February on the project, which is aimed at creating a “better defined town entrance”, according to the council meeting agenda.

The roundabout will be at the South Western Highway intersection with Blechynden Street and is a key component of the Manjimup Town Centre Revitalisation Project stage two.

Manjimup shire president Paul Omodei said he believed the roundabout was the most important part of Manjimup’s transformation as part of the project.

“It will channel traffic back into town and I think that’s what businesses have been crying out for, for many years,” he said.

“If we have parking problems in town as a result, well that will be a pleasant problem to have.”

Cr Omodei did recognise there would be difficulty during construction with traffic.

“I understand they will keep one lane operational,” he said.

“I’m sure they’ve built thousands of roundabouts before and with Main Roads keeping an eye on things, we’re hoping it goes smoothly.”

The total Manjimup Town Centre Revitalisation Project cost is about $27.46 million, of which $22.29 million came from Royalties for Regions’ Growing Our South program.

As part of the State Government allocated timeframe, work as part of the revitalisation project needs to be completed by December 2019.