The New South Wales government has revealed three new overtaking lanes have opened along the Newell Highway as part of an ongoing $261.1 million investment into road safety upgrades.
The overtaking lanes are situated south of Moreee and at Bellata, with drivers of the highway noticing the new northbound and southbound overtaking lanes.
The upgrades art part of the Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrades, which are being delivered in four sections.
Following these overtaking lanes, what lies ahead is the installation of a pedestrian refuge and turning lane at Bellata, the construction of north-west NSW’s largest heavy vehicle rest area north of Narrabri and improved pavement, culverts and overtaking lanes south of Edgeroi.
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“The Newell Highway is a major inland regional route that connects Queensland and Victoria and is travelled by thousands of locals, tourists and key freight operators every day,” NSW regional transport and roads minister Jenny Aitchison says.
“The opening of three new overtaking lanes is an important milestone for this highway upgrade project which will greatly improve the way people move around the state’s north-west.
“The federal and NSW governments are pleased to be working together to improve road safety and reduce travel times for motorists who travel on this critical national highway.”
The project will also upgrade 20 kilometres of the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree, delivering new heavy-duty road pavement, intersection improvements and wider road shoulders.
North of Narrabri, traffic has switched over to a recently finished section of new highway, providing a safer and more comfortable drive for motorists.
Construction on these essential upgrades began in mid-2022 and has created job opportunities for more than 940 people.
“The federal government is proud to be working with our state counterparts by investing in the future of regional NSW,” federal transport and infrastructure minister Catherine King says.
“The $1.5 billion we’re investing in the Newell Highway will pay dividends for decades, ensuring this essential transport corridor will serve local motorists and the road freight industry alike.”
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