Newell Hwy upgrade Narrabri-Moree pavement upgrade

Read our notification (PDF, 777.65 KB) to find out more.

Read our notification (PDF, 516.41 KB) to find out more.

Read our February Community Update (PDF, 2.41 MB) for the latest information about the Newell Highway heavy duty pavement upgrades between Narrabri and Moree.

Read our notification (PDF, 447.04 KB)to find out more.

The Australian and NSW Governments are investing $261.17 million in the Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrade between Narrabri and Moree. The works include four sections (1, 2, 3 and 5) along the Newell Highway with over 20 kilometres of new road pavement, intersection improvements, widening of road shoulders and the provision of five additional overtaking lanes.

This project will improve safety for motorists and reduce future maintenance requirements and costs.

• Increase travel reliability between Narrabri and Moree.
• Reduce travel times between Narrabri and Moree.
• Reduce the cost of maintenance along the Newell Highway.
• Reduce vehicle operating costs on the Newell Highway.
• Improve road safety for road users.
• Improve flood immunity of the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree.
• Improve freight productivity and access to the Moree Special Activation Precinct and Narrabri In-land Port.
• The project is expected to create 640 new jobs during construction.

The project includes over 20kms of heavy duty pavement upgrades along four sections (1, 2,3 & 5) of the Newell between Narrabri and Moree.

Key features include:

• provide a heavy-duty pavement to meet the existing and future freight needs along this section of the Newell
• widen the existing highway or construct a new two lane highway adjacent to the existing highway of 3.5m lanes, 2m shoulders, and 1m wide centreline cross section
• provide new 1.5km long dedicated overtaking lanes in five locations
• upgrade intersections and right turning lanes
• retain or improve the 110km design speed alignments
• improve access to private property and bus stop layouts
• new Class 3 heavy vehicle rest area
• upgrade of drainage structures to improve flood immunity for the highway.

The primary objectives are to:

• Improve freight productivity through a safer and more reliable and less weather-impacted route
• Reduce travel times and improve connectivity for all road users
• Improve access to the future Moree Special Activation Precinct and Northern NSW Inland Port at Narrabri.
• Engage local community and ensure economic benefits are realised

Other supporting objectives are to:

• provide a 40-year traffic loading design
• develop a proposal that contributes to the economic development of the region and improves transport efficiency on this section of the Newell Highway in terms of travel time and vehicle operating costs
• ensure that all potential impacts of the proposal on the local community are assessed and appropriate mitigation measures are developed
• ensure an adequate level of service for existing and predicted traffic volumes
• ensure route development minimises the impact on environmentally sensitive areas and that appropriate mitigation measures are included in the proposal to manage any impact
• ensure stakeholder involvement in all phases of the proposal development
• ensure compatibility of the road network and the long-term land use planning for the area.

• February 2024 Frequently asked questions (PDF, 516.26 KB)
  Newell Highway Upgrade - Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrade, Narrabri to Moree

• February 2024 community update (PDF, 2.41 MB)
  Newell Highway Upgrade heavy duty pavement upgrade.
• June 2023 community update (PDF, 797.36 KB)
  Newell Highway Upgrade Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrade.
• November 2022 community update
  Newell Highway Upgrade: heavy duty pavement upgrades Narrabri to Moree.
• June 2022 community update
  Newell Highway Upgrade: heavy duty pavement upgrades Narrabri to Moree.

• March 2024 project notification (PDF, 777.65 KB)
  Changed traffic conditions on the Newell Highway at Burrington Road
• March 2024 project notification (PDF, 516.41 KB)
  Changed traffic conditions on the Newell Highway for nightwork
• September 2023 project notification (PDF, 415.45 KB)
  Changed traffic conditions on the Newell Highway for night works.
• June 2023 project notification (PDF, 83.96 KB)
  Changed traffic conditions on the Newell Highway south of Edgeroi
• May 2023 project notification (PDF, 280.9 KB)
  Changed traffic conditions on the Newell Highway at Bellata.
• May 2023 project notification (PDF, 178.82 KB)
  Changed traffic conditions on the Newell Highway for heavy patching.
• March 2023 project notification (PDF, 398.42 KB)
  Planned power outages in Bellata.
• March 2023 project notification (PDF, 257.15 KB)
  Changed traffic conditions at Bellata.
• December 2022 project notification
  Out of hours work on the Newell Highway south of Moree on the 13 December.
• August 2022 project notification
  Changed traffic conditions on Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree from 10 August 2022.

• July 2022 project notification
  Start of work on Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree from 18 July 2022.

• May 2022 project notification
  Survey Work on Newell Highway between Narrabri and Edgeroi, from Monday 30 May.

• May 2022 project notification
  Survey Work on the Newell Highway at Bellata, from Thursday 26 May.

• May 2022 project notification
  Survey Work on Newell Highway between Gurley and Moree, from Monday 23 May.

• October 2021 project update
  Newell Highway Upgrade, heavy duty pavement upgrades (Narrabri to Moree).

• June 2018 project update
  Newell Highway upgrade, Narrabri to Moree and North Moree heavy duty pavement projects.

• October 2023 project postcard
  Industry working with farmers for a smoother, safer harvest.
• July 2023 project postcard (PDF, 180.31 KB)
  Narrabri drop in session - local businesses and job seekers.
• June 2023 project postcard (PDF, 169.63 KB)
  Safety tips for pedestrians during construction work.
• January 2023 Fact Sheet
  Bellata power outages.
• January 2023 project postcard
  Bellata Community Session - Planned Power Outages.
• October 2022 project postcard
  Tips for travelling the Newell Highway this harvest season.
• July 2022 project postcard
  Bellata Community Drop-In session.

• 5 October 2023
  Planning ahead to limit highway upgrade’s limit on harvest
• 14 July 2023
  Narrabri locals invited to learn how to join the teams upgrading the Newell Highway in the north west.
• 14 July 2023
  Calling job seekers and local businesses in Narrabri

• September 2021 review of environmental factors consistency review
  Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavements, Narrabri to Moree.

• November 2020 addendum review of environmental factors including appendices
  Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavements, Narrabri to Moree.

• September 2018 submissions report
  Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavements, Narrabri to Moree.

• June 2018 review of environmental factors report
  Executive Summary.

• June 2018 review of environmental factors report
  Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavements, Narrabri to Moree - Main report.

• June 2018 Biodiversity Assessment
  Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavements, Narrabri to Moree.

• May 2018 Aboriginal and historic archaeological survey report
  Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavements, Narrabri to Moree

• May 2018 Operational traffic and construction noise and vibration assessment report
  Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavements, Narrabri to Moree.

• May 2018 Urban design, landscape character and visual impact assessment report
  Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavements, Narrabri to Moree.