Drivers have been warned that the O’Connell Road through to Bathurst will be closed as workers begin a major widening project.

Roads and Maritime Services expect the road to be closed between 7am and 6pm from Monday to Friday for the next nine weeks as the project is completed.

A detour via Box Flat and Beaconsfield roads will be in place while work is carried out and work is expected to be completed by April 30, weather permitting.

And it’s not only drivers who will be inconvenienced – O’Connell shop owners are worried about the impact on their businesses.

Jo Christie and Sandra Gibney at the Avenue Cafe in O’Connell rely heavily on the passing traffic for business, but they say they know the work must be done.

“When we first opened, the kerb and guttering was being done right out the front, and now we have roadworks just up from our cafe,” Ms Christie said.

“We are not complaining. We know work has to be done on the road and it will end up benefiting all road users.

“We just hope we do not lose too much business from it.”

Ms Christie said she had been kept well updated of plans for the road widening.

“The workers have been great and keep us informed of what they are doing,” she said.

“They keep us in mind while doing the work and on Fridays come and have a coffee and their lunch, so we have a great working relationship with them.”

One of the major concerns with the widening of the road was the future of the O’Connell Anzac Memorial Avenue of Trees, and residents are relieved they will be saved.

“The avenue of trees is so important to the people of O’Connell and that is why we named the cafe after them,” Ms Christie said.

“The trees mean a lot and it is great they will not have to be removed and will be looked after the best they can.”

Some damaged trees have been removed, but the undamaged trees will remain and clippings from them are already at Orange TAFE, where students are propagating more.

The new trees will replace those that have been removed, others that are too old and any that may be damaged with the widening of the road.

Bathurst MP Paul Toole urges drivers to be patient during the widening project.

He said diversions would add only a few minutes to the travelling time between Bathurst and Oberon.

“Road users should be roadwork aware, slow down and take care – roadwork speed limits are enforceable,” Mr Toole said.

For more information about traffic conditions during the roadwork, contact the Transport Management Centre on 132 701.