More than $1.74 billion will be invested in three key New South Wales road corridors to improve safety and make journeys more efficient, supporting regional communities, freight operators and industries across the state.
Under the new Regional Corridors Upgrade Program (RCUP) the Albanese Labor Government will invest $697 million combined with $1.049 billion from the Minns Labor Government to deliver major upgrades to strengthen routes that connect freight to our ports and industries and help keep regional communities connected.
This funding will deliver targeted upgrades along the state’s road network so that it meets the future transport demands of the growing regional economy and supports road safety for regional travellers and heavy vehicle drivers.
The investment includes:
• $520.8 million for the Newcastle to Dubbo corridor, including upgrades along the Golden Highway, John Renshaw Drive and Hunter Expressway, strengthening the connection across the Great Dividing Range to the central west.
• $849.8 million for the Muswellbrook to Armidale corridor, including upgrades to key sections of the New England Highway.
• $375 million for the Euston to Tocumwal corridor, including upgrades along the Sturt and Newell Highways and Kidman Way in the state’s southwest.
This investment will deliver a range of improvements including road, shoulder and intersection widening, turning lanes, new overtaking lanes and intelligent transport systems such as digital signage to update motorists on traffic conditions along the corridor and traffic monitoring cameras.
New and improved rest stops, pull-over bays and heavy vehicle facilities will also form part of the upgrades, better supporting freight operators as they move across the state.
More than 1,000 jobs will be supported across the state.
These upgrades will be accelerated under the Minns Labor Government’s Project Swift initiative, which is changing the way projects are delivered by removing unnecessary processes, reducing duplication and allowing more work to happen concurrently.
Work on improvements between Newcastle and Dubbo has already begun, with new line marking and the installation of traffic management signage at town entry points being delivered along the Golden Highway at Dubbo, Dunedoo, Jerrys Plains, Denman and Sandy Hollow.
