One of the most important routes in the Upper Hunter, Coulsons Creek Road, has reopened to traffic for the first time in almost five years.
And, the $48.26 million project – connecting Merriwa and Willow Tree, while re-establishing a link between the New England and Golden highways – is set to deliver road safety and resilience for locals, visitors and freight operators long into the future.
It comes after the Commonwealth contributed $38.6 million, and the state government $9.66 million, to carry out repairs on the vital regional thoroughfare.
“It marks an important milestone for communities on both sides of the ranges,” Upper Hunter Shire mayor Maurice Collison said.
“This road is incredibly important to our region.
“Reopening Coulsons Creek Road restores a key connection that people rely on for work, trade and daily travel… and it reflects the significant effort that has gone into rebuilding it stronger and safer.”
Despite earlier attempts to fix the damage caused by severe weather, the road was closed to everyone in January 2021 after geotechnical inspections detected serious cracking extending beyond the road’s centre line.
It prompted Upper Hunter Shire Council to involve Transport for NSW (TfNSW), Infrastructure NSW and Public Works Advisory in a new design, which included soil nailing to stabilising the slopes supporting the road.
“The people of the Upper Hunter have waited patiently for this project to be completed and that patience is finally being rewarded,” Hunter MP Dan Repacholi said.
“The upgraded road will also deliver improved safety for motorists, with enhanced drainage, protection against rock falls, new barriers, signage and line-marking.
“This work also ensures the road will be able to better cope with heavy rainfall in the years ahead.”
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King echoed those sentiments.
“Like others, I was shocked to see the significant damage that had been done to Coulsons Creek Road,” she said.
“The reopening only happened because the state and federal Labor governments stepped in to both fund and properly repair this important road, which is especially vital for the region’s primary producers.
“It will cut travel times for all road-users and improve safety by reducing traffic volumes on the alternate routes drivers used while Coulsons Creek Road was closed.”
NSW Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley also welcomed the news.
“The Upper Hunter has lived with this closure for years – longer trips, delays getting to work and tougher days for local farmers and freight,” she said.
“Reopening it means people are moving again amid a bit of time and certainty.
“As the Hunter grows, we’re making sure the services the community relies on grows with it and this opening after far too long is another step in that direction.”
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