Safety upgrade starts on New England Highway south of Uralla

Motorists will soon benefit from smoother and safer journeys with upgrade work starting next week on the New England Highway, about 23 kilometres south of Uralla. 

Transport for NSW Acting North Region Director, Tiffany Jeffery, said the NSW Government is providing $3.1 million from the Towards Zero program to deliver the upgrade.

“The New England Highway provides an important link in our road network for residents, local industries and tourism, and this upgrade will ensure safer and smoother journeys for all road users,” Ms Jeffery said. 

“This upgrade will benefit around 4000 motorists, around 18 per cent of which are heavy vehicles, who use this section of road daily and help ensure everyone makes it safely home to their loved ones.”

Ms Jeffery said the project includes widening the highway to provide a one metre wide centre line treatment and sealed shoulders as well as heavy patching and road resurfacing to provide a smoother road surface.

“Safety along this section of the highway will also be improved by installing new line marking, carrying out maintenance and improvements to drainage, removing overgrown vegetation to improve sight distance for motorists and the visibility of roadside hazards,” Ms Jeffery said.

“Adjustments will also be made to safety barriers; new roadside signs will be installed and essential maintenance work will be carried out. 

“Work on the project will start on Monday 18 September will be carried out from 6.30am to 6pm on weekdays and from 6.30am to 6pm on Saturdays.

“Traffic control, single lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be in place during work hours, which may affect travel times.

 “Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.”

Site establishment activities started this week in preparation for work to start.

The project is expected to be completed in late February 2024, weather permitting.