Work is now underway to enhance one of regional NSW’s key freight routes, the Golden Highway at Merriwa.
It follows a $23.7 million investment by the NSW Government to deliver a new westbound overtaking lane on the busy thoroughfare.
Site establishment will start from Tuesday 19 May, with construction expected to take about 10 months to complete, weather permitting.
“Communities along the Golden Highway spent years hearing the same promises from the former government, while critical safety upgrades were left sitting on an ever-growing list of projects that never got off the ground,” NSW Acting Minister for Roads John Graham said.
“That negligence has left residents of the Upper Hunter languishing.
“So, we’re getting on with the job to make sure that changes.
“Investments like this are about more than a single overtaking lane or safety upgrade.
“They are part of a broader effort to strengthen and future-proof critical regional roads like the Golden Highway for decades to come.
“We said we would invest in safer, more reliable regional roads.
“And, that’s exactly what we’re doing here in Merriwa.”
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has been progressively improving the Golden Highway – a critical east-west link connecting communities and industry between Newcastle and Dubbo – since 2016.
It’s outlaid $109 million as part of the state’s Regional Freight Pinch Point and Safety Program with an additional $24 million contribution from the Commonwealth’s Heavy Vehicle Safey and Productivity Package.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley welcomed the commencement of works.
“Hunter locals know better than anyone the significance of the Golden Highway for the region,” she said.
“From coal, grain, livestock, fertiliser and other goods, this stretch of road is part in parcel of the Hunter’s booming economy.
“It connects towns like Merriwa, Denman and Dubbo to jobs, services, markets and, most importantly, to each other.
“This new overtaking lane will help locals and freight operators move more safely and reliably across the region at a time when demand on this road continues to grow.
“The Minns government said we would invest in this road… and that’s absolutely what we are doing.”
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