Far west highways to receive a digital upgrade with electronic road signs

19 July 2021

The Cobb and Silver City Highways are now home to automated, electronic road signs designed to improve safety and better inform motorists about road conditions.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said nine electronic signs have now been installed on the Cobb Highway between Hay and Wilcannia and the Silver City Highway between Broken Hill and the Queensland border.

“This will be a game changer for the Far West because until now, we’ve relied on all signs being changed manually to indicate if the highways are open or closed,” Mr Toole said.

“This is not only time consuming but potentially dangerous for both workers and motorists in this remote part of New South Wales, which is prone to flash flooding up to 12 times a year.

“The $750,000 sign upgrade will provide motorists with updates in real time, helping them to make quick decisions to avoid potentially hazardous conditions.”

 A $145 million program to seal the remainder of the dirt road along the Silver City and Cobb Highways is on track to be completed by the end of 2022.

“Once the sealing of the Cobb and Silver City highways are complete, both highways will be all-weather for the first time in the State’s history, providing safer and more reliable travel in western NSW,” Mr Toole said.

“In conjunction with these new electronic signs, the sealing of these highways will improve wet weather immunity and provide more reliable road access to some of the more remote parts of the State.

“The $145 million program to seal Silver City and Cobb Highways is currently ahead of schedule and once complete, will be a massive win for the communities it connects and the freight companies it serves.”

For more information on the Cobb and Silver City Highways visit: Cobb Highway Silver City Highway upgrade.