28 May 2020

The Newell Highway upgrade from Mungle Back Creek to Boggabilla reached a key milestone this week with the completion of Stage 1.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said this was great news for the freight industry which would now experience a safer, smoother and faster journey along this part of the Newell Highway.

"The Australian and NSW Governments have invested $122 million to transform this 18 kilometre section of the Newell Highway, which is a major freight corridor connecting Queensland to Victoria through inland NSW," Mr McCormack said.

"This forms part of a broader commitment of $700 million in upgrades for the Newell Highway to make sure goods and produce are moved safer and more efficiently from Brisbane all the way to Melbourne."

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said it was fantastic to see infrastructure projects like the Newell Highway upgrade forging on to support jobs and the local economy during challenging times.

"While these works will provide a new heavy-duty road surface to meet the existing and future freight needs along this vital freight corridor, the project is also providing a big economic boost to the region," Mr Toole said.

"The completion of stage one of the Mungle Back Creek to Boggabilla upgrade is just one part of our commitment to increase freight efficiency and future-proof the Newell for a growing freight task."

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton welcomed the news that the first 18 kilometres of the 27 kilometre upgrade was now open to motorists.

"The stage one upgrades are primarily about safety, with wider lanes and a one-metre centreline to reduce the risk of collisions," Mr Coulton said.

"We also delivered two new overtaking lanes north of Whalan Creek Bridge as well as several intersection upgrades and the widening of the road shoulders to better accommodate the large number of heavy vehicles travelling along this section of Newell Highway."

State Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said that work would now commence on stage two, with the completion of the whole project estimated to be mid-2021.

"In November last year, we secured an additional $81.1 million in funding from the Australian Government, bringing the total commitment to stages one and two, to $203 million. The additional funding has provided the green light for stage two of the project, which will upgrade an additional nine kilometres of highway," Mr Marshall said.

"The commitment from both our governments to this project means we'll be finished stage two by mid-2021 to deliver faster, safer and more efficient journeys through the region."