Members and the executive of the Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce were updated on the progress of a $257 million upgrade of the Newell Highway.

The project primarily targets sections of the important national freight corridor between Narrabri and Moree.

A total of 27.3 kilometres of road will be upgraded or renewed as part of the transformation of the Newell.

The project is expected to create 640 new jobs during construction for the full project scope.

Transport for NSW’s project manager of the Narrabri to Moree heavy duty pavement upgrade, Scott Rickard, and the department’s acting director for the western region, Kristy Hartwig, briefed the gathering at last week’s chamber meeting on various aspects of the project.

Introducing the department’s representatives to address the meeting, chamber president Russell Stewart said the upgrades were not before time and welcomed the dialogue provided to Narrabri’s business community.

Ms Hartwig described the project as a significant investment by the NSW and Commonwealth governments.

The state government has funded $51.44 million of the works while the Commonwealth has committed $205.73 million.

“The Australian government is very focused on the Newell Highway,” Ms Hartwig told the meeting.

It is believed up to $830 million has been invested in the corridor by federal and state governments in recent years.

Ms Hartwig said the current upgrades had enormous benefits for the highway in its entirety.

Mr Rickard spoke about the specific sections of the works between Narrabri and Moree.

Stage one involves works across four sections and recently went out to tender.

The first section involves a section of highway from the Plant Breeding Institute for 6.4 kilometres to north of the entry to Murrumbilla Lane ending just before Spring Creek.

In the second segment, 10.5 kilometres of road will be upgraded and two overtaking lanes – north and south bound – will be added.

This segment starts south of Edgeroi and continues north on the highway through the village.

Section three involves 4.5 kilometres of upgrades and one northbound overtaking lane.

This portion of the project includes the stretch of road in Bellata, over the rail overpass and stops near the Tookey Creek rest area.

The fourth part of the works incorporate a part of the highway that leads in to Moree.

This section involves five to six kilometres of work leading up to the 80kmh zone as motorists approach the town limits.

“All of you would understand they’re some of our roughest sections,” Mr Rickard told the chamber gathering.

He said the overall works included the widening of road shoulders, the provision of an additional five overtaking lanes, upgrades at some intersections and the construction of two heavy vehicle rest areas.

One rest area would be located within the southern portion of the works and includes a sleeping area for trucks and rubbish bins.

The northern most area, however, would include amenities and bays for trucks as large as AB triple vehicles.

Mr Rickard discussed the tender component of the project.

The main construction contract went to tender on September 24 and closes on November 19.

“There will be over 80 work packages available to support the main construction contract.

This work could include concrete and quarry products, demolition, container hire, electrical and plumbing services, truck plant equipment hire, temporary fencing, accommodation, catering site
cleaning, traffic control, security services and other components of the mammoth project.

A pre-tender meeting was held online last week.

Five pre-qualified tenderers applied online last Tuesday and 35 additional contractors were engaged in the pre-tender meeting.

Mr Rickard said the numbers were a really good outcome.

“Those sort of numbers highlight that there is a strong sentiment from the construction contractors and interest in the contract,” he said.

The highway construction work is anticipated to start mid next year.

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