Construction commences on $261m Newell Hwy heavy duty pavement upgrade

Works involving several intersection upgrades and the delivery of overtaking lanes are now underway as part of the largest ever pavement upgrade of the Newell Highway in New South Wales. 

The $261 million Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrade (HDPU) will involve widening and strengthening four priority sections (1, 2, 3 and 5) along a 27.3-kilometre stretch of the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree. 

“The NSW Government is delivering a safer and stronger network with work now commenced on the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree. 

“This upgrade will have significant benefits for motorists including reduced travel times, better access during and after wet weather and improved freight productivity. 

“We are investing in what matters to our local community and making our network safer, to help make sure everyone out on our roads gets home safely - just one way we are securing a brighter future for NSW,” NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway said. 

Stage 1 works will include: 

• Provide a heavy duty pavement to meet the existing and future freight needs along this section of the Newell Highway 
• Widen the existing highway or construct a new two-lane highway adjacent to the existing highway of 3.5-metre lanes, 2-metre shoulders, and 1-metre wide centreline cross section 
• Provide new 1.5-kilometre long dedicated overtaking lanes in five locations 
• Upgrade intersections and right turning lanes 
• Retain or improve the 110-kilometre design speed alignments 
• Improve access to private property and bus stop layouts 

In addition to the construction of new sections of road and overtaking lanes, the project will also deliver two new heavy vehicle rest areas and several new bridge-size culverts for improved drainage. 

“Employment opportunities to come from the project would significantly benefit both the Moree and Narrabri shires. 

“This is a legacy project, with 640 jobs supported throughout the construction phase. 

“With a commitment of 12 per cent Indigenous employment, the technical skills delivered to employees as a result of Newell Highway upgrade will ensure the economic benefits from the project are felt in all areas of the community,” NSW Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said. 

Project map (source: Transport for NSW)

Earlier this year, Fulton Hogan was awarded the contract for the construction of the project. The contractor has now commenced works along the first two sections (3 and 5), which include an eight-kilometre stretch of the highway about three kilometres north of Narrabri, through Bellata. 

“This upgrade will complement the work currently happening on the Inland Rail between Narrabri and Moree and, once complete, will improve access to the future Moree Special Activation Precinct and Northern NSW Inland Port at Narrabri, helping our region unlock its full potential,” Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said. 

The Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrade is being delivered as part of the $1.7 billion commitment from the Australian and New South Wales Governments that will upgrade the Newell Highway - the longest highway that provides inland connections to both Victoria and Queensland. 

The Australian Government has committed $205.73 million towards the pavement upgrade project while the State Government commits the remaining $55.44 million. 

“The Australian Government is committed to delivering resilient and reliable transport, which is exactly what this upgrade is all about. 

“Good infrastructure investment creates jobs, builds opportunity and unlocks economic growth, and I look forward to seeing local communities and motorists using this stretch of the Newell Highway reap the benefits as construction gets underway,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

Over the course of the construction period, works are going to be carried out Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, excluding public holidays, and between 7am and 6pm on alternating weekends. 

Temporary traffic changes will be observed such as local intersection and lane closures; traffic control including short stoppages; and varying speed restrictions from 40kmh during work hours. 

Source: Transport for NSW (1, 2); Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Roads & Infrastructure Australia