Construction has commenced on $187.2m Parkes Bypass project in NSW

The first sod has been turned and major construction is now underway on the $187.2 million Parkes Bypass project along New South Wales’ Newell Highway. 

This project is set to deliver significant upgrades to a 10.5-kilometre section of the highway to enable heavy vehicles to bypass the Parkes township. 

“Bypassing the town of Parkes has been discusses for years but it’s the Australian and NSW Coalition Governments that are making this long-floated project a reality. 

“In August, Georgiou Group was charged with managing the three-year construction of the bypass, and now we’re wasting no time assembling crews to start site establishment and vegetation clearing work,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said. 

The Parkes Bypass is the latest project to get underway along the Newell Highway and it is part of a record investment that will deliver improved safety as well as boost freight productivity and reduce travel times between the Victorian and Queensland borders. 

“The Federal and NSW Governments are investing $1.455 billion to transform journeys along the freight backbone of NSW, and the Parkes bypass is the jewel in the crown of this investment. 

“We’ve just hit the halfway mark of our $228 million commitment to build 40 overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway and the Parkes bypass will further support the regional freight task in NSW, which is expected to increase by 12 per cent to 286 million tonnes moving across our road network by 2036,” NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said. 

The Parkes Bypass project will include: 

• A two-lane (one lane in each direction) with five key intersections, including: 
  • Two T-intersections, north and south between the existing Newell Highway and the Bypass 
  • A split T-intersection at London Road 
  • A four-way roundabout at Condobolin Road 
  • A T-intersection with Bogan Road 
• Two bridges, including: 
  • A bridge over two rail lines and Hartigan Avenue 
  • A bridge over the Bypass on Victoria Street 
• An extension of Hartigan Avenue (Henry Parkes Way) with intersection with Brolgan Road, Billy Mac Place and Condobolin Road 
• Realignment, reconfiguration and changes to local roads, including: 
  • Shifting part of Moulden Street to the west 
  • Maguire Road and Nock Road converted to cul-de-sacs 
  • New connection between Brolgan Road and Hartigan Avenue 
  • Connection between Thomas Street and Mitchell Street via the Reedsdale Road extension 
• A new shared path for pedestrians and cyclists which will connect Broglan Road, Condobolin Road and Victoria Street 

“There will be many benefits once the bypass is complete, including reduction in congestion, improvement in amenity in the central business district and removal of more than 1,200 heavy vehicles and other traffic from the main town centre every day – all of which will improve safety for motorists and pedestrians in and around Parkes. 

“We know how important this project is to the community – it will help people get to where they need to go sooner and safer when the project is due to be open to traffic in 2024,” Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said. 

Parkes Bypass alignment (source: Transport for NSW)

In addition to improved road safety and freight productivity, the Parkes Bypass project is also anticipated to deliver a much-needed boost in the local economy with about 350 jobs to be supported during the construction of the bypass. 

“In addition to a 10.5-kilometre western bypass of Parkes, work will involve bridges over existing railway lines and connections to the Parkes Special Activation Precinct to leverage the Inland Rail project and the existing freight logistics hub. 

“Work to adjust or upgrade connections to local roads has been underway since January,” Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier Sam Farraway said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Transport for NSW (1, 2)