The recent upgrades to the Puddledock Road intersection, delivered as part of the Road Safety Program (RSP), have transformed not just the road, but the daily lives of those who rely on it.
Greg Shaefer at the Puddledock Road intersection.
For nearly a decade, Greg Shaefer has watched the ebb and flow of traffic from his home on the New England Highway, just across from the local truck sales yard.
He’s seen the dangers first-hand: overhanging branches from a towering white gum, cars jockeying for position on narrow lanes, and the tense moments as vehicles attempted risky overtakes on the approach to Stringy Bark Hill.
But today, Greg says, the view from his front window tells a different story; one of safety, clarity, and community confidence.
About the project
The project involved extending the southbound overtaking lane, widening the highway to provide safer travel lanes and shoulders, and upgrading the intersection at Puddledock Road with a dedicated right-turn lane. Additional works included improved drainage, strengthened pavement, new line marking, and the installation of roadside safety barriers.
Safety improvements
Greg, who is a works assistant for Transport, said the project had been “a great move to improve safety in the area.”
“With the widening of the shoulders, a dangerous old gum tree that had dropped large branches over the road was finally removed.
“The [visibility] now appears to be so much wider and clearer for the length of the project.”
For residents and drivers, the most noticeable change has been the extension of the southbound overtaking lane, which now begins just past Puddledock Road.
Greg believes this single design decision has made a world of difference.
“This has been a really smart decision… as overtaking traffic is already in the fast lane before approaching the uphill left-hand bend of Stringy Bark Hill.
“Before, cars would transition from the slow lane to the fast lane mid-bend, which was alarming… especially in the wet.
“Now, they’re already on the outside, so [traffic]around the bend is much safer.”
Essential funding
The upgrades were made possible by a $9.6 million investment from the Australian and NSW Governments’ Road Safety Program (RSP).
Andrew Black, Manager Program Delivery, says the funding was crucial in delivering a holistic solution.
“RSP funding enabled us to extend the overtaking lane, rehabilitate the pavement, and install safety features that wouldn’t typically be funded under only one program,” Andrew said.
“The stars aligned for this project. Without RSP, these improvements likely wouldn’t have been possible.”
Challenges
The project was not without its challenges. Severe weather and a surge in heavy vehicle traffic, diverted from the Pacific Highway during emergencies, put pressure on the construction schedule. Yet, the team’s resilience ensured the works were completed, with only a final seal remaining to be applied in the coming months to guarantee long-term durability.
Community benefits
For Greg and his neighbours, the upgrades have brought more than just a smoother drive, they’ve restored a sense of security to a stretch of road that has seen its share of tragedy.
“I believe the upgrade has instilled a much better safety outlook for the community, especially after some fatalities on this section in the past,” he said.
As this section of the New England Highway settles into its new chapter, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved when community needs, expert design, and targeted investment come together. For the people of Armidale, it’s not just a road, it’s peace of mind restored.
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