Redbank
Project overview
The Newell Highway Program Alliance (NHPA) completed the delivery of a southbound overtaking lane extension, about 26 kilometres south of Coonabarabran, in October 2021.
In June 2021, the NHPA will be back at Redbank to commence safety improvement work, funded by the Australian Government.

Project information
Background
Transport for NSW has partnered with BMD and AECOM to form the Newell Highway Program Alliance.
The strategic partnership will deliver about 40 additional overtaking lanes in an estimated four years rather than the likely eight years it would take to fund and deliver this work using traditional procurement methods.
This innovative delivery mode will result in a minimum of 60 kilometres of new overtaking lanes to improve safety, reduce travel times, allow more accurate travel planning and improve freight efficiency.
The new overtaking lanes are expected to provide around 33 minutes of travel time savings along the length of the Newell Highway from the Victorian to the Queensland border.
The Australian Government has approved $76.54 million for safety improvement works to be carried out next to seven of the overtaking lane projects.
The work includes widening the road shoulders and centreline, and installing rumble strips along the highway
Features
Construction of a southbound overtaking lane extension on the Newell Highway at Redbank, 26 kilometres south of Coonabarabran, was completed on 26 February 2021.
The safety improvement work will commence in June 2021 and is expected to take three months to complete.
Benefits
Once the overtaking lane is completed, road users on this section of the Newell Highway will experience an increase in road capacity and increased overtaking opportunities.
Other benefits of the project include:
- improved safety for all road users
- reduced travel times
- more accurate travel planning
- improved freight efficiency.
Traffic changes
A reduced speed limit of 40km/h during work hours and 80km/h after hours will be in place for the safety of road users and workers
Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, allow extra travel time and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.
For the latest traffic updates, you can call 132 701, visit livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW App.
Next steps
The project team will keep the community regularly informed as the work progresses.
Thank you for your understanding while we complete this important work.
Project documents
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Project notifications
- June 2021 project notification
Completion of work.
July 2020 project notification
Work to start on extending the overtaking lane on Newell Highway, south of Coonabarabran, from Tuesday 21 July 2020.