Two million dollars is to be spent looking at priorities for upgrading the Newell Highway.
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Flood mitigation between West Wyalong and Parkes will be considered, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said, in conjunction with identifying priority upgrades on the highway to increase freight productivity and to support the economic prosperity of local communities along the thoroughfare.
“Above all, the strategy will look to improve safety for all road users,” Mr McCormack said.
Mr McCormack said he did understand the economic importance of keeping the highway open.
“I saw first-hand the devastating impact of the 2016 floods where the Newell Highway was cut off for six weeks between West Wyalong and Forbes,” he said.
“I have already been working closely with the Newell Highway Taskforce to identify priority areas along the important freight route.”
Forbes Mayor Graeme Miller and Council’s Director of Technical Services John Zannes were at a meeting of the Newell Highway Task Force in Coonabarrabran on Tuesday and welcomed the news.
“Anything spent on the planning process is welcomed and going to get things moving along,” Cr Miller said.
Mr McCormack said the funding for the strategy recognised the importance of the Newell Highway as a corridor of commerce.
“The Newell Highway is the longest highway in New South Wales, and provides a major freight and passenger transport connection to Victoria and Queensland,” Mr McCormack said.
Mr McCormack said the strategy would identify priority road upgrades along the full length of the Highway in New South Wales.
“This study will identify and prioritise the key upgrades required on the Newell Highway which increase productivity for freight operators and improve safety for all road users,” Mr McCormack said.
“The Australian Government is investing $9.3 billion for the delivery of the inland rail project and this study will investigate opportunities to better integrate Newell Highway and rail operations.”
At Tuesday’s meeting, the taskforce also welcome news of a Newell Highway Overtaking Lane Alliance program.
RMS Western Regional Director Alistair Lunn said the program would develop, design and construct about 30 additional overtaking lanes along the length of the Newell from Tocumwal to Goondiwindi.
