An RTA spokesperson said the Australian Government had provided funding to plan and complete detailed designs for the 33km conversion to four lanes.

“The RTA has identified the corridor, including the preferred route for an eastern bypass of Murrumbateman,” the spokesperson said.

“Road users and landowners can now view the latest plans at several convenient locations.

“The RTA encourages the public to find out how their input into the earlier consultation stages has influenced the route.

“The Barton Highway corridor plans will be on display at information sessions on Thursday 22 May, Friday 23 May and Saturday 24 May, at three locations in Murrumbateman and Yass (details below).

“Planning for future duplication will provide landowners with the chance to determine potential impacts to their properties.  This planning work will also incorporate Yass Valley Council’s land use plans for future developments.

“The community will also have an opportunity to speak with the project team about the upcoming technical investigations, which are scheduled to start at the end of the display period.

“The RTA will carry out the investigations in consultation with potentially affected landowners. 

“The investigations will focus on preliminary environmental and geotechnical assessments, flood studies, traffic surveys and field surveys.

“The RTA has also conducted a safety review of the highway and is currently developing proposals for safety upgrades to assist the Australian Government in considering its short term needs.

“This is being done in consultation with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

“Any improvement work carried out as part of the safety review will take into account planning for the future duplication of the Barton Highway,” the spokesperson said.

The public is invited to view information displays showing the corridor for investigation of future duplication at the following times and locations:

Thursday 22 May 2008, 2pm to 8pm
Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds Hall
Barton Highway, Murrumbateman

Friday 23 May 2008, 10am to 5pm
Yass Valley Library
Comur Street, Yass

Saturday 24 May 2008, 9am to 2pm
Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds Hall
Barton Highway, Murrumbateman

The information will also be available at the Yass Motor Registry, RTA Works Depot, Yass Visitors Centre, Yass Valley Library, Murrumbateman Library, Murrumbateman post office and Hall Post Office/General Store. from 26 May 2008 to 18 July 2008.