The $287.2 million Parkes Bypass project on the Newell Highway in New South Wales has reached a major milestone.
Traffic has moved onto the new 10.5-kilometre section which has been built to allow motorists to bypass Parkes.
The project, jointly funded by the NSW and Australian Governments, is expected increase road safety and freight efficiency.
It will also support connectivity for the region by removing up to 1,200 trucks from local streets per day.
Senator for NSW, Deborah O’Neill, expressed her pride in the project’s milestone.
“The Parkes Bypass is a key part of our vision for a stronger, safer and more connected Newell Highway, and this is just one of many upgrades delivering lasting benefits for local families, farmers and freight operators,” she said.
“This milestone marks real progress, not just for Parkes but for the entire Central West, with safer roads, better freight connections, and less congestion through town.”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said the milestone will increase connectivity for the region and improve road safety.
“We want to strengthen our regional communities by ensuring they have the infrastructure they need to get them where they need to go safely and efficiently, and this project is a big step in that direction for the local community,” she said.
“Thank you to all of the workers who made this possible and will now start on three months of finishing works.”
The entire upgrade to the network to support Parkes Bypass is expected to be completed over the coming months.
In other news, construction is officially underway on Woolworths Group’s new chilled and fresh distribution centre in Eastern Creek, New South Wales.
