Newell overtaking lanes at Marthaguy

27 June 2019

Motorists will soon benefit from a new pair of overtaking lanes on the Newell Highway at Marthaguy thanks to the NSW Government’s commitment to improve safety, reduce travel times and improve freight productivity along the road.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the new lanes would be the second pair rolled out since the program was announced in January.

“The Newell Highway is the freight backbone of NSW and we want to ensure our freight operators have some of the safest, most efficient roads available to them,” Mr Toole said.

“The project will be delivered via an alliance model with  the  private sector, which will see at least 30 additional overtaking lanes built in about four years – half the usual time.

“The addition of 30 overtaking lanes is expected to provide 25 minutes of travel time savings and increased safety along the length of the highway.

“The ultimate goal of the overtaking lanes is to reduce road crashes on NSW’s longest highway and to ensure everyone who sets off on a journey returns home safely.”

Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said the construction of the new overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway improved efficiency for freight operators and provided a real boost for local communities along the Newell like Dubbo, Peak Hill and Gilgandra.

“The Newell Highway is more than 1,000 kilometres long connecting the State’s Victorian and Queensland borders and providing an economic backbone for freight and tourism in NSW,” Mr Saunders said.

“Many motorists pass through local towns, which helps to support local economies as they often stop for something to eat or stay overnight.”

The site will be a hive of activity from this week with earthwork starting to prepare for the widening of the road. Work will be carried out between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and 8am and 1pm Saturdays.

The lanes are expected to be completed by November 2019.

For more information, visit: Newell Highway.