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Newell Highway Corridor Strategy delivers investment roadmap

The Federal Government’s Newell Highway Corridor Strategy has been released, with the intention of improving freight efficiency, road safety and support for drought-affected areas.

The strategy was commissioned by the Federal Government in January 2019 to address significant developments since the 2015 NSW Government Newell Highway Corridor study.

Developments include investment in Inland Rail, a focus on supporting drought-affected areas including areas along the Newell Highway Corridor and the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative.

Infrastructure Minister Michael McCormack said the Federal Government-funded strategy would ensure the corridor serves the needs of the freight industry and regional communities well into the future.

“The Newell Highway is one of the most significant freight and tourist routes in New South Wales, providing a major regional freight and passenger transport connection to Victoria and Queensland,” Mr. McCormack said.

“The strategy delivers an evidence-based 10-year investment roadmap that will inform future investment across the length of the Newell Highway over the long term, to maximise productivity gains for freight users on the corridor.”

The strategy outlines seven proposed actions including supporting high productivity vehicles access and facilities along the corridor, identifying infrastructure and behavioural change initiatives and constructing overtaking lanes.

Freight Transport Minister Scott Buchholz said the strategy was further proof of the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting and enhancing critical regional roads.

“The strategy, developed through evaluation of current and future demand along the corridor, assessment of existing performance and stakeholder engagement, identifies six key corridor objectives,” Mr. Buchholz said.

“These objectives include road and rail solutions designed to meet growing freight efficiency demands and reduce costs for regional supply chains.”

The Federal Government committed $70 million to the Newell Highway corridor in the 2019–20 Budget.


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