The New South Wales Government is committing $100 million towards a stimulus program that will fast track the delivery over 150 shovel-ready road and rail projects as well as generate more than 600 jobs across regional New South Wales.
These projects are funded through the State Government’s $2.3 billion COVID-19 package that was announced in March of this year. This significant investment aims to keep economies moving as well as create local jobs.
“Our accelerated maintenance program has fast-tracked projects that have proven a lifeline for communities – delivering safer roads and stronger freight and rail connections, as well as creating local jobs when they were needed most.
“Right across the state, this program is rolling out about 400 kilometres of rumble strips, which reduce the risk of head-on and run-off crashes by up to 25 per cent, upgrading 200 kilometres of rail line, and improving carparks and customer amenities at 15 regional railway stations.
“Bringing these project forward through stimulus funding has given our regional communities a real shot-in-the-arm, especially those who have suffered a triple whammy of drought, bushfires and COVID-19,” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said.
The stimulus funding has also delivered over $500,000 worth of roadside barriers as well as other safety upgrades to the Monaro Highway and Kosciuszko Road; approximately $2 million to rehabilitate a section of the Kings Highway near Nelligen; and more than $1 million to rehabilitate a 3-kilometre section of the Sturt Highway near Euston.
“Further north, almost $770,000 went towards work on the Golden Highway near Muswellbrook, more than $826,000 for road intersection upgrades in Taree, and more than $5 million for Newell Highway upgrades at Pilliga, between Narrabri and Moree, and from Mungleback Creek to the Queensland Border.
“In the state’s far west, $1.5 million was spent strengthening and widening a section of the Silver City Highway at Kellys Creek, south of Broken Hill,” Minister Toole added.
This significant funding has enabled Transport for NSW to deliver more projects on top of the planned program of work, helping boost regional economies by supporting local jobs and businesses as well as utilising local supplies.
Source: Transport for NSW – Media Releases; Transport for NSW – Roads and Waterways