Newell Highway upgrade a key priority
Upgrading the Newell Highway would cement its place as one of the key links in the National Land Transport Network.
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana Chair John Walkom has welcomed Infrastructure Australia earmarking the inland NSW artery as a focus for
future development.
“A lot of the projects are metropolitan-based so this is a win for regional Australia,” Mr Walkom said.
“The Newell Highway upgrade has been identified as a proposed initiative which will contribute to national road connectivity between Qld and Victoria.
“This is the principal inter-capital road freight route between Brisbane and Melbourne and is a critical link for regional producers in central and
western NSW.”
The route is currently affected by localised congestion and flooding, deteriorating pavement and a lack of overtaking lanes.
“These factors constrain freight productivity by increasing travel times and reducing reliability,” Mr Walkom pointed out.
Infrastructure Australia’s prioritisation is based on urban congestion, corridor preservation and growth opportunities.
The priority initiatives are potential infrastructure solutions seeking to take advantage or address a problem.
Key areas of upgrade on the Newell Highway will be:
- bypasses of Boggabilla, Parkes and Coonabarabran
- heavy duty pavement provision from Narrabri to Moree
- Road widening from Boggabilla to Goondiwindi and Coonabarabran to Narrabri
- Upgrade of the Mitchell Highway intersection at Dubbo
- Installation of a new bridge at Dubbo
- additional overtaking lanes
The NSW Government is developing business cases for some elements of the initiative./ENDS