The $60 million New England Highway upgrade at Bolivia Hill in New South Wales is a step closer to construction with the release of the preferred route for the project.

“The preferred route for the Bolivia Hill Realignment was selected in 2014, and the detailed design work carried out since early 2016 is now complete.

“This is a project that will change lives and save lives and is just one of several big-ticket projects we are delivering along the New England Highway, including the Scone Bypass and further planning for the Tenterfield Heavy Vehicle Bypass,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce, the upgrades on the highway – between Glen Innes and Tenterfield – will make a significant improvement to the narrow lanes and tight bends on the existing road.

“This upgrade is going to make a big difference to driver safety, with its new 320-metre-long bridge, wider lanes in each direction and widened road shoulders.

“It is going to improve safety for all drivers on this stretch of the highway and make life a lot easier for heavy vehicle operators. This will support local producers reliant on good transport links to get goods to market in a competitive manner,” Mr Joyce said.

Project plans (source: Roads and Maritime Services)

New South Wales Member for Lismore Thomas George said that various issues have been considered which will ensure that the community’s needs are met in the delivery of the project.

“This upgrade will be vital for the community, but equally, we need to protect the local environment. Roads and Maritime Services has begun collecting seeds from Bolivia Hill Wattle trees which are unique to the area.

“Roads and Maritime Services will continue to work with key stakeholders and the community as design work progresses and I am looking forward to seeing this project reach completion,” Mr George said.

Tenders for the New England Highway upgrade are expected to be called by mid-2017, with works set to begin in early 2018 and take approximately two years to complete.

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Source: Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Roads and Maritime Services