$3.35 million for heavy vehicle upgrades in Riverina

Widening, strengthening and sealing of significant lengths of highways and roads will be among $3.35 million in safety upgrades delivered in the Riverina under a re-elected Coalition Government.

The Nationals Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester announced the funding in Wagga Wagga today.

Mr McCormack said that two of the eight projects would be upgrades to roads in the Lockhart Shire Council that are susceptible to flooding.

 

He said the upgrades would begin later this year.

“It’s critical that we support the movement of freight to and from the Riverina through safe and productive roads,” said Mr McCormack.

“Our investment in these five projects is leveraged by either local government, resulting in a total of $7.4 million in heavy vehicle upgrades being carried out.

“The upgrades will benefit local residents and businesses in Lockhart, Weddin and Parkes Shire Councils.

“All of the projects are near construction and will commence in the course of the next 12 months.”

Mr Chester said the projects were another example of the Coalition delivering a safer and more efficient road environment for heavy vehicle operators.

“The Coalition is committed to working with the heavy vehicle industry and getting on with the job of providing safer and more productive freight network,” Mr Chester said.

“A competitive freight industry supports jobs and growth in our primary industries and there are flow-on safety benefits from these upgrades for all road users.

“That’s why the Coalition has committed $254.6 million to the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme from 2014–15 to 2019–20.”

The projects to be funded include:

  • $937,500 to upgrade of Grubben Road, including extending all culverts, increasing pavement width and depth, and sealing 11.5km;
  • $800,000 to widen and Strengthen 10.5km of the Newell Hwy to improve freight efficiency for widening and strengthening 10.5km of the Newell Highway to improve freight efficiency;
  • $660,000 to replace existing aged culverts to Higher Mass Limit (HML); replace existing old concrete causeways with new culverts to HML; reconstruct 620m of pavement to suit new culverts and to HML.
  • $650,000 to upgrade the intersection of HW6 (Mid-Western Highway) and Greenthorpe-Bumbaldry Road to accommodate B-Double movements and improve safety;
  • $300,000 to undertake further upgrades to Middle Trundle Road to include the widening and seal of a further 4km of the remaining 17km of unsealed road;

Mr Chester said on top of today’s announcement the Coalition was also providing Wagga Wagga City Council with $13.15 million for the maintenance of local roads through the Roads to Recovery programme from 2014-15 to 2018-19 and a total of $6.18 million for the Eunony Bridge/Byrnes Road project.

Cristy Houghton