Key design and road works on the Newell Highway will hopefully boost freight and transport efficiency, with $1.7 billion dedicated to the road project. 

Work is due to kick off this month as the highway receives 40 new overtaking lanes along the stretch, all focused on improving safety and reducing travel times.

NSW Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Sam Farraway said that 23 overtaking lanes have already been completed.



“All three sites will feature both northbound and southbound overtaking lanes, totalling about nine kilometres,” Mr Farraway said. 

Another key aspect of maximising efficiency - particularly when it comes to heavy vehicles - is the redesign of the T junction with the Oxley Highway, where the Oxley Highway traffic is given priority.

“Improving travel time and helping to reduce the risk of crashing at this location will be the aim of the design work,” Mr Farraway said. 

Both the area and the intersection itself has been prone to crashes, with truck’s being the recurring factor in most cases. 

While safety is at the forefront, industry is set to see benefits too. 

“This upgrade will deliver noticeable benefits for both the agriculture and mining industries in terms of travel time savings and reducing heavy vehicle trips and operating costs,” Mr Farraway said. 

GHD was successful in acquiring the tender for the upgrades, which won’t be delivered until 2024, with intersection construction due to start in 2025 and being opened by mid-2026. 

ABOVE: The concept design for the planned upgrade to the highways. Image courtesy of Transport NSW.

Until then, the overtaking lanes should provide some relief for ordinary travellers along the highway. 

“These time and money savings are in addition to the main benefit of overtaking lanes - providing motorists, particularly those in retirement who are exploring regional NSW, more opportunities to overtake safely,” Mr Farraway said. 

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said that the key areas for the overtaking lanes are Dandry, near the Pilliga Rest Area north of Coonabarabran, and near the Sir WIlliam Bridges Rest Area south of Narrabri. 

“This stretch of highway is long and winding, and it can often be difficult to find a safe place to overtake if you’re stuck behind a truck or caravan,” Mr Coulton said. 

Work on the overtaking lanes will begin at the Pilliga Rest Area, and is due to begin 20 June.