The Minns Labor Government has reached a major planning milestone for the future upgrade of the Riverina Highway in Albury, confirming the preferred option for the three-kilometre stretch of the corridor between Young Street and East Street.
The preferred option includes new traffic lights at three key intersections, improved pedestrian and cycling connections, upgrades to improve traffic flow and safety, and changes to access near the hospital precinct.
Used by around 25,000 vehicles each day, the Riverina Highway is a critical east-west connection through East Albury, linking the Hume Highway with the Albury Wodonga Hospital precinct, Albury Airport, surrounding residential communities and major commercial centres.
Selection of the preferred option has followed extensive technical investigations, traffic modelling and consideration of community feedback gathered through Albury City Council’s draft East Albury Precinct Plan. This stage marks an important step forward for the project, closing out early project development.
The preferred option includes:
- new traffic lights at Keene Street, East Street and Electra Street
- a left in/left out treatment at Schubach Street to improve traffic flow and reduce queuing
- a continuous raised central median along the corridor
- two through lanes in each direction
- a westbound right-turn lane at the Hume Highway interchange
- improvements to line marking and traffic signal phasing at Young Street
- reconfiguration of the service road opposite the hospital to improve parking, access and safety
- safer pedestrian crossings at key intersections to strengthen north-south walking and cycling connections
Community feedback consistently highlighted the need for safer intersections, improved walking and cycling connections, and better traffic flow along the corridor. The preferred option directly responds to these priorities while delivering improved safety, traffic flow and active transport connections for the growing Albury community.
The next stage of the project will involve further refinement of the concept design, environmental assessment and continued community consultation before detailed design.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison:
“This is an important step toward delivering a safer, more efficient Riverina Highway for the thousands of people who rely on it every day.
“We’ve listened to the community and used that feedback to shape a preferred option that improves safety, eases congestion and makes it easier to walk and ride through the corridor.
“These upgrades will improve access to key destinations like the hospital, airport and local businesses, while making travel more reliable for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.”
Quotes attributable to Labor Spokesperson for Albury, Tara Moriarty:
“The Riverina Highway is a critical connection for the community and businesses of Albury and the surrounding region so they can keep their operations moving, and people can get to their appointments, everyday chores, or airport flights.
“The Government is upgrading this essential road infrastructure after hearing from the local community and moving to get the job done.”
