2019-20 State Budget to boost regional NSW road and rail network

Regional New South Wales will be seeing better road, rail and freight networks, with various transport infrastructure projects set to go underway. The projects are boosted by the record $55.6 billion investment through the 2019-20 State Budget.

“This Budget builds upon years of regional investment, with even more happening in the bush than ever before.

“We;re getting on with the job of upgrading key routes across the State including the Princes, Pacific, Great Western, Newell, Cobb and Silver City highways, providing major economic benefits, as well as safer and more efficient journeys,” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said.

Regional NSW projects highlighted in the 2019-20 State Budget include:

• $1.5 billion over four years for the Pacific Highway upgrade to complete the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade; and to progress the Coffs Harbour bypass
• $1.2 billion over four years to continue work on existing Princes Highway projects, including Albion Park Rail bypass, the Berry to Bomaderry Upgrade, the new Nowra Bridge, and the Batemans Bay replacement bridge
• An additional $322 million over four years to upgrade the Princes Highway between Nowra and the Victorian border, as part of the Government’s commitment
• Commence work to duplicate the 31-kilometre section of the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow, delivering a safer, faster trip over the mountains
• $44.3 million to continue sealing the most remote highways in NSW, the Silver City and Cobb Highways
• $145 million for upgrades on the Newell Highway, including overtaking lanes and pavement upgrades
• $38 million to progress the new Regional Rail Fleet including construction of a rail maintenance facility in Dubbo
• $373 million to improve road safety including a significant increase in investment through the Road Safety Plan 2021 targeting high risk areas with a regional focus
• Start of the $250 Seniors Travel Card in January 2020

“I am excited for those who live in regional and rural NSW as we unlock our capacity by investing in infrastructure that responds to the needs of today and prepares for future growth.

“We will also start rolling out funding to fix local roads and timber bridges as part of a $1 billion investment in improving these key connections for local communities,” Mr Toole said.

Earlier this week, the NSW Government announced a record $55.6 billion investment to be spent over four years as part of the 2019-20 State Budget - which includes $32.2 billion for public transport projects and $23.4 billion for road projects.

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Source: Transport for NSW; Roads and Maritime Services