Tap Hill overtaking lanes join up to form the longest on the Newell Highway
15 June 2021
**Vision pack and stills available to download below
Two overtaking lanes have been extended near Tap Hill in the North West to join up and create the longest overtaking lane on the Newell Highway.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government had invested $891.6 million towards the Newell Highway in New South Wales, including $60 million to build additional overtaking lanes under the Newell Highway Upgrade Program.
“We are serious about delivering even more overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway to provide greater freight productivity and safer, more enjoyable journeys for motorists,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“We are continuing to progress projects like this across NSW and the nation under our record $110 billion infrastructure investment pipeline, which is a key pillar of Australia’s world-leading economic recovery.”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said 27.5 kilometres of overtaking lanes had already been rolled out along the Newell Highway as part of the transformation of one of the state’s busiest freight corridors.
“So far, 19 of the 40 additional overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway have already been completed with another four in construction, which will save about 33 minutes of travel time along the length of the Highway from the Victorian border to the Queensland border when the program is complete,” Mr Toole said.
“The extensions at Tap Hill, about 49 kilometres north of Gilgandra, have closed the gap between two existing northbound overtaking lanes to create one massive 5.7 kilometre overtaking lane.
“This is not only the longest overtaking lane on the Newell, it is one of the longest in the state and will provide road users more opportunity to safely pass slower and longer vehicles on this key tourism and freight route.”
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the Australian and NSW Governments' commitment to fund these works would provide major safety and efficiency gains between Gilgandra and Coonabarabran.
"This new overtaking lane will reduce the likelihood of drivers taking risks to pass slower vehicles, including trucks, buses and caravans, especially with the upcoming school holidays," Mr Coulton said.
"Reducing travel time and fatigue for locals, tourists, and truckies will create a safer and more reliable road network in regional NSW.
"We are fulfilling our undertaking to increasing overtaking lanes in the northwest of the state to address some of the safety and capacity constraints on the Newell Highway."
NSW Member of the Legislative Council Sam Farraway said Tap Hill was a great location for this new long lane as it joined two existing overtaking lanes and provides a passing opportunity on a prolonged uphill section.
“This section of work involved extending the northbound overtaking lane at the bottom of Tap Hill for about one kilometre along the highway, as well as constructing a new northbound overtaking lane to close the gap between the existing overtaking lanes at the top of Tap Hill,” Mr Farraway said.
“We now look forward to delivering the remaining overtaking lanes and fuelling more jobs for local suppliers and businesses as part of our commitment to build a safer, more efficient road network across regional NSW.”
More information on the Newell Highway overtaking lanes is available.