The Newell Highway Taskforce met at Narrabri last week. Mick Savage from Roads and Transport Directorate highlighted the importance of getting additional funding for the Newell Highway Flood Study completed recently by Professor Peter Brain to pursue the work already undertaken by Roads and Maritime Service (RMS).
Chair Cr Ken Keith outlined the major upgrades that have taken place since 2011 including 18 overtaking lanes completed at a cost of $40.3 million and another 10 overtaking lanes planned with completion expected in 2018/19.
Projects nearing completion include the realignments at Grong Grong and Trewilga where the speed limit will become 110 km/h. The NSW Government’s Future Transport 2056 draft document was also discussed. The omission of a future Bells Line road upgrade from the report has significant ramifications for the Newell Highway network, particularly the Central West, for connectivity to the Sydney region.