Starting in October, workers from Aline East have been moving the main street of the town about 8m north of its old location.

The aim is to make the road, which is a heavily used section of the Great Eastern Highway, straighter, wider and further away from pedestrians and shops.

Shire chief executive Darren Friend said the road upgrade had gone relatively smoothly.

“On Friday night someone moved the signage around and diverted a road train up onto the new road before it had been opened, which was stupid and dangerous,” he said.

“Luckily the road train managed to stop in time and no damage was caused to the road, the truck or the driver.”

Although the new road section has now been sealed and is open, there are still reduced speed limits and plastic cones lining the road while final touches are added.

Mr Friend said it would be another few months before the works were completely finished.

“Over the next six weeks the workers will be focusing their attention away from the new road section and building new drainage in front of the shops,” he said.

“This will eliminate the drainage problem that we have always had on the main street, which has led to shops getting flooded in the past.

“Unfortunately during the next six weeks it will be noisy and dusty for locals, but fences will be erected to minimise the noise and dust going into the shops and walkways will be provided for pedestrians to access the shops.”

The next step will be to carry out the landscaping of the street, which will include car parking, pavement, street furniture such as benches and bins and plants.