After much community consultation, it’s been announced the recommended preferred option for the heavy vehicle detour route is the orange corridor, the route closest to town.

This option starts north of Tenterfield Creek Bridge and reconnects to the highway at Cowper St.

The option was announced after a meeting between RMS, community and council representatives two weeks ago.

An RMS representative said of the four shortlisted routes, the orange option was recommended because it was close to the town centre, making it more likely that light vehicles would continue to travel through the central business district. 

“The option is also close to local tourist attractions such as the museum,” he said. 

Tenterfield Shire mayor Peter Petty said CBD business concerns had always been there, but council would work through those issues with the business owners.

“This is the most sympathetic route for them and will attract the traffic that we want,” Cr Petty said.

“I can see a change in community opinion to it in the six years I’ve been on it.”

He said council was proud that this was the furthest the discussion had gone on the bypass, which was a 50- to 60-year-old debate.

“We are proud that it’s moving ahead in the appropriate manner,” he said.

“Council supports the orange route and it ticks all the boxes just about, and that’s where we want to be. It also adds to the work we continue to do with our streetscape.”

Cr Petty said once the route was confirmed and announced, the next step would be to get it funded.

“In my opinion, some funding or a promise will be announced with the next federal election, but I hope they announce it before that,” he said.