Overtaking lane doubles to cut travel time
8 July 2020
Doubling the length of a northbound overtaking lane about five kilometres north of Parkes will deliver safer and more efficient trips along the Newell Highway.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the project was part of the NSW Government's $500 million commitment to improve safety, reduce travel times, increase overtaking opportunities and improve freight efficiency on the Newell Highway.
"We are committed to delivering about 30 additional overtaking lanes on the Newell Highway over four years, improving safety and saving road users about 25 minutes of travel time along the length of the highway," Mr Toole said.
"Since the launch of the program in March 2019, we have completed 12 overtaking lanes near Jerilderie, Finley, Forbes, Parkes, Dubbo, and Gilgandra with a further five overtaking lanes under construction.
"We know how important projects like these are to regional economies and we’re encouraging local businesses to tender for work to help deliver them."
Member of the Legislative Council Sam Farraway said work on the Coobang northbound overtaking lane, which includes rolling out variable speed limit (VSL) technology, will start this week.
"The 840-metre extension will more than double the existing northbound overtaking lane to about one-and-a-half kilometres, to improve travel times and make overtaking safer for motorists travelling out of Parkes," Mr Farraway said.
"While work is under way, Transport for NSW will be using VSL signs, successfully trialled at the recent Peak Hill overtaking lane project.
"This technology has the capability of changing speed zones instantly through a computer application, which minimises the amount of time needed for traffic control workers to manually change speed signs. It also provides motorists with improved visibility of lit-up signs in poor light conditions and wet weather."
The Newell Highway Program Alliance will carry out work from Tuesday, 7 July between 7am to 6pm on weekdays, and 8am to 6pm on weekends. Work is expected to be complete in six months, weather permitting.
For more information visit the Newell Highway Program Alliance page.