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 South West.
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.
For more information about the investment in these regional corridors, visit the project webpage.
Quotes attributable to Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns:
“Regional roads are vital to keeping communities connected and goods moving across NSW – whether that’s getting produce from farms to supermarkets or delivering supplies to local businesses”.
“A strong regional economy needs good roads, and we need to keep investing in them to support local jobs, businesses and industries.
“We've just opened the M1 extension in the Hunter around 18 months ahead of schedule, and we want to bring that same focus on getting things done to more road projects across NSW.
“This investment will make roads safer for local families, improve travel times and make it easier for businesses and freight operators to get their goods where they need to go.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King:
“The Albanese Government’s $697 million commitment to the RCUP will directly support regional productivity, secure local jobs and ensure that our critical supply chains, from the Central West and southwest of NSW to our ports, remain resilient for decades to come.
“Our export industries and freight operators are the backbone of the Australian economy, and they rely on safe and reliable roads, which is why we are investing $697 million in partnership with the Minns Government to deliver these major corridor upgrades.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:
“The Hunter is growing and we’re ensuring that our roads and infrastructure keep up.
“A better road network means safer, faster travel and better-connected communities for the thousands of people who not only call the Hunter home, but who work here, visit and pass through.
“This is a great example of what can be achieved when Government works together.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:
“Regional NSW deserves a road network that keeps pace with the communities and industries that depend on it, and that’s exactly what this monumental investment is all about.
“The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are together investing more than $1.74 billion into practical upgrades across three regional corridors, improving safety, efficiency and productivity for the motorists who rely on them every day.
“These will not be minor upgrades. We’re building safer intersections, wider roads and shoulders, overtaking lanes, better rest areas, and heavy vehicle facilities - because regional drivers and freight operators deserve a road network that is fit for purpose.
“The Minns Labor Government knows regional NSW keeps our state moving, so we're making sure they can continue to do so for decades to come."