Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection
Project overview
The Australian and NSW Governments have recently completed the upgrade of the Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection as part of the $301.2 million Building a Better Dubbo program to cut down travel time, make roads safer and ease congestion in and around Dubbo.
Key benefits
The Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection upgrade includes the following features:
- Traffic lights will replace the existing roundabout
- New pedestrian crossings on all four sides of the intersection, with foot ramps to improve wheelchair and pram access
- Intersection widening to allow for increasing traffic volumes
- Additional merge lane that minimises parking loss at Victoria Street shops
- Relocation of underground utilities and overhead power
- Safer turn paths for road trains (up to 36.5m long)
- New stormwater system to improve drainage in a high rainfall event.

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Latest news
Nov 2021 - Indigenous participation
Transport for NSW is proud to announce that the Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection upgrade project doubled its target of Indigenous participation.
TfNSW was aiming for a 13.2% Indigenous participation on the project, measured as a percentage of hours worked. The final Indigenous participation rate was actually 27.2%. This represents 34 individual Indigenous staff members contributing to the fields of engineering, traffic control, pipe laying, asphalt and concreting. Of the 86905 hours of work completed to finish the project. 23642 hours were completed by Indigenous workers. The Aboriginal Participation in Construction target of 1.5% was well and truly exceeded with 4% of the final total expenditure being spent on Aboriginal employment.
Transport for NSW would like to thank the local community and businesses of Dubbo that worked collaboratively to achieve these great outcomes.
Interactive portal
To learn more about this project, view our interactive portal for more information.
Project information
Background
This critical upgrade will reduce congestion at this busy intersection for locals and for traffic travelling through Dubbo. The Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway are part of the National Land Transport Network - an essential link for businesses and industries connecting major cities and regions. These routes are a vital part of the road network through Dubbo and the surrounding region.
During early development of the project, businesses and residents on each leg of the roundabout were consulted with and advised that the project was being developed. Consultation with stakeholders and businesses started in 2018. Once a more detailed design of the upgrade was complete, the project team met with stakeholders in 2019 and these meetings are continuing.
Transport for NSW is committed to keeping the community informed throughout the development of the project and will continue to meet with stakeholders near the project.
What is happening?
Utility relocation, drainage upgrades and concreting works (including footpaths) are nearing completion.
Works to remove the existing roundabout have commenced, with temporary traffic signals to be utilised until permanent structures are in place.
As a direct result of community feedback, the Newell Highway and Baird Street intersection is also receiving an upgrade to include a set of traffic lights and a designated right turn lane.
We are committed to keeping the community and stakeholders informed as the project progresses.
The project is expected to open to traffic late 2021, weather permitting.
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View the proposed Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection upgrade.
Community information
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- February 2020 frequently asked questions
Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection upgrade.
Project documents
Some documents on this page may not comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG).
If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us.
Community updates
- October 2021 project notification
Night work and detours at the Newell Highway Mitchell Highway intersection upgrade in Dubbo, from Sunday 10 October. - September 2021 project notification
Continuing work at the intersection of the Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway in Dubbo from Friday 17 September. - August 2021 project notification
Changed traffic conditions at the Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection in Dubbo from Friday 13 August 2021. - July 2021 project notification
Changed traffic conditions at the Newell Highway and Baird Street intersection in Dubbo from Wednesday 21 July 2021. - June 2021 project notification
Changed traffic conditions on Newell Highway intersection with Mitchell Highway in Dubbo from Tuesday 22 June 2021. - June 2021 project update
Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection upgrade. - May 2021 project notification
Changed traffic conditions at the Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection, Dubbo from Tuesday 18 May. - May 2021 project notification
Changed traffic conditions on the Mitchell Highway including the LH Ford Bridge in Dubbo on Tuesday 11 May 2021. - April 2021 project notification
Changed traffic conditions at the Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection, Dubbo from Thursday 15 April 2021 to carry out pavement investigation and upgrade work. - April 2021 project notification
Detour arrangements on the Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection from Thursday 15 April 2021. - September 2020 project notification
Closure of Baird Street at the Newell Highway intersection, from Monday 7 September for approximately five days. - September 2020 project notification
Changed traffic conditions on the Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway, near the intersection, from Sunday 6 September for night time drainage work. - August 2020 project notification
Watermain relocations on the Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway, Dubbo from Monday 10 August. - July 2020 project notification
Drainage work on the Newell Highway near Elizabeth Street and Elizabeth Lane, Dubbo from Monday 3 August. - July 2020 project notification
Retaining wall upgrade on the Newell Highway, Dubbo from Wednesday 29 July. - July 2020 project notification
Utility relocation on the Mitchell Highway and Newell Highway, Dubbo from Sunday 19 July. - June 2020 project notification
Slip lane closure at Mitchell Highway and Newell Highway intersection, Dubbo from Friday 26 June. - May 2020 project notification
Utility relocation at Newell Highway and Baird Street intersection, Dubbo from Monday 18 May. - May 2020 project notification
Road closures at Mitchell Highway and Stonehaven Avenue; Beni Street intersections; Dubbo from Monday 18 May. - April 2020 project notification
Utility relocation at Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection, Dubbo from Monday 4 May. - April 2020 project notification
Subscribe for updates on the Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway intersection upgrade. - November 2019 Stakeholder letter
Baird Street intersection redesigned, based on community feedback. - May 2019 community update
Building a better Dubbo - Road work, that works for you. - May 2019 project poster
Building a better Dubbo - Road work, that works for you. - 2019 project poster
Know the facts.
Reports
- April 2019 review of environmental factors report
Newell and Mitchell Highways Intersection Upgrade main report.
- April 2019 review of environmental factors report
Appendices A, B, C & E.
- April 2019 review of environmental factors report
Appendix D - Part 1.
- April 2019 review of environmental factors report
Appendix D - Part 2.
- April 2019 review of environmental factors report
Appendix D - Part 3.
- Building a better Dubbo 2019 Consultation Report
Report includes a summary of issues raised and Transport for NSW responses.
Media releases
- 9 August 2021
Home stretch for Newell and Mitchell Highway intersection upgrade