Motorists in New South Wale's Upper Hunter region will soon have safer journeys while travelling along local roads as four upgrade projects are fast- tracked towards construction as part of the accelerated Round 2 of the Fixing Local Roads Program. 

The second round of the Fixing Local Roads Program will fund over 100 new rod upgrades across New South Wales as well as create more than 1,000 jobs. 

“Safe, reliable roads are essential for communities in regional New South Wales – by improving roads, we are making a big difference to people's lives in ensuring they get home sooner and safer. 

“We know improved roads are crucial to regional communities – the more than 100 successful road projects recently announced will play a big role in helping residents and businesses recover from the effects of bushfires, drought, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said. 

Works to be delivered will include repairing, patching as well as maintaining and sealing local roads across the State. 

Round 2 of the program will bring forward about $8.5 million in funding to fix priority local roads across the Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Dungog regions. 

“Big infrastructure projects might create a lot of headlines but these are small projects that make a difference in people’s everyday lives. 

“This builds on our continued investment in a safer, stronger road network across the Upper Hunter. We're not just helping councils improve local roads, we're also making it possible for them to replace ageing timber bridges, announcing in February $28 million to replace 45 bridges across the Upper Hunter, including $16 million to Dungog Shire Council to replace 23 of its worst bridges,” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said. 

Round 2 of the Fixing Local Roads Program will deliver the following projects in the Upper Hunter region: 

• Dungog Shire Council – Flat Tops Road – Stage 1: $924,000 
• Muswellbrook Shire Council – Widden Valley Road: $533,396 
• Singleton Council – Putty Valley Road: $2,340,000 
• Upper Hunter Shire Council – Barrington Forest Road: $4,710,000 

At the end of last month, it was announced that the Australian and New South Wales Government have jointly funded $150 million towards Round 2, which will be allocated to deliver more than 100 road projects across 90 Local Government Areas. 

On the other hand, approximately $243.6 million of joint funding was allocated in Round 1 of the Fixing Local Roads Program to deliver 253 road projects in 83 Local Government Areas. 

All projects covered by the program will be completed within two years, ensuring that local communities benefit from these projects as soon as possible. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Transport for NSW – Roads and Maritime