The Government provided more than $2.1 million to the Upper Lachlan Council in 2012 to reseal the final 5.7 kilometres of the road with Council providing $1.1 milion. It is now a 37km fully sealed link between Crookwell and Goulburn.

Minister Gay heaped praise on the Upper Lachlan team who have carried out the construction work.

“It’s pretty damn terrific,” Minister Gay said.

“We work hard to get you a few bob and you do wonders with what you get.”

“It’s just an outstanding job that you’ve done.

“Congratulations.

“It’s about linking communities; inking Taralga to Crookwell and all parts of the Upper Lachlan.

“This increases our ability to get our livestock across to Yass and links to Bathurst.

“I live on part of this road and the sound of motor bikes on the weekend means dollars spent in Crookwell.

“That’s pretty important to the area,” he said.

MINISTER Gay spoke about the links between Crookwell and Taralga especially Viewhaven Lodge to Sunset Lodge.

“It makes such a difference to all who travel this road including workers and farmers.”

“Sections of this road were completely reconstructed - not only was it sealed, but it was widened with new pipes and culverts being installed to improve safety during wet weather.”

“The Crookwell and Taralga communities have been waiting decades for this work the happen.”

More than 200 vehicles including heavy logging transport and agricultural transport use the road every day.

Minister for Goulburn Pru Goward said, “It is about tourism, safety, agriculture and livestock transport and about linking communities.

“It is a great commendation to Upper Lachlan to have built a road to this standard.”

“May there be many more of them,” Ms Goward said.

Mayor John Shaw said he is proud of his team and the fact they have scored 8/9 from the RMS for the State road works is incredible.

“We now aim to get State Road 54 complete and that will open up the tourism network from east and west.

Councillor Brian McCormack spoke about his involvement in the road for the past 29 years.

He has lobbied for the works to be completed and is now happy, saying “it may well be one of the best roads in the Shire.”

John McIntosh is also a resident who has approximately four kilometres of the road frontage to his property and has also seen the works on the road from start to finish.

He also congratulated the Council workers for the quality, standard of work, comparing the road to any other road in the State.