Things are going to get a 'hole' lot better for the Guyra main street.
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A $2.7 million upgrade of Bradley Street last July was interrupted when radar detected up to 19 disused fuel tanks under the road and sidewalk.
The Ground Doctor, a Dubbo-based environmental consultancy firm, started removing the tanks this week.
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Environmental engineer James Morris and his two colleagues began on Tuesday with the most complex site, outside Burgess Garage, and will work their way up the street.
"We're trying to work out what's here, basically," Mr Morrow said. "There's no surer way of finding out what's there than to dig a hole! Hopefully, we won't dig up anything too important!"
Armidale Regional Council mayor Simon Murray expected removing the tanks would take a month, but could not be certain until excavations were complete; it could be a fortnight longer.
“Once the contractors see the full conditions of the tanks, decisions will be made about which tanks will be removed and which will be stabilised and left in place,” he said.
The tanks are in four clusters, and work will be undertaken in sections to minimise the impact on businesses and shoppers, Armidale Regional Council said.
Work will begin on the western side of Bradley Street, starting at the southern end of the worksite and progressing north.
Traffic controllers will limit the impact on road users, and the western footpath will remain open to pedestrians.
The eastern footpath will be closed in sections when work switches to the other side of the road at the end of February or early March. The public will still have access to stores and other premises.
Council said it was liaising with business operators along the affected section of Bradley Street, and would issue updates to advise of the project’s progress.
Cr Murray promised that Council would minimise the impact on the community, while doing all the necessary site remediation to meet NSW Environmental Protection Authority requirements.
“We can then proceed with the CBD upgrade, which will complement the historic architecture of the street; create unity in the street landscape; and provide a safer environment for pedestrians.”
