The NSW Government has announced that it will invest $4.7 billion to build and maintain road infrastructure throughout the state.
Minister for Roads, David Borger, said this is the biggest road investment program in NSW’s history and is $300 million higher than last year’s record budget.
This budget will see jobs created for more than 6380 workers who will be required in the construction of new road infrastructure.
Key features of the budget include $2.2 billion to build new roads, $1 billion for maintenance of NSW’s existing roads, $336 million in improvements to the traffic network, and $871 million invested on the Pacific Highway.
The Pacific Highway upgrade between Hexham and the Queensland border will include:
- $174 million to continue construction, jointly funded with the Federal Government, on the dual carriageway bypass of Kempsey ($135 million) and the Glenugie upgrade ($39 million);
- $317.5 million to continue construction, jointly funded with the Federal Government, on dual carriageways on the Ballina bypass ($115 million), at Bulahdelah ($92.5 million) and at Banora Point ($110 million);
- $155 million to start major construction, jointly funded with the Federal Government, between Coffs Harbour (Sapphire) and Woolgoolga; and
- $85 million to continue planning and preconstruction activities, jointly funded with the Federal Government, for the upgrade of the highway between Tintenbar and Ewingsdale, north of Ballina.
Other projects due for completion in the coming year include $345 million to continue duplication of the final sections of two-lane Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne; a $174 million program of work for the Great Western Highway; a $62 million program of work for the Princes Highway; and $340 million to continue construction, jointly funded with the Federal Government, of the Hunter Expressway between the F3 at Seahampton and the New England Highway at Branxton.
“Road safety is a top priority for the NSW Governme.nt, which is why we’re pouring $234 million into road safety projects,” said Minister Borger.
“This is in addition to the huge amount we’ll also be investing on road safety improvements while building and maintaining the state’s massive 20,000km road network.”
