Safety works on New England Highway underway

Safety works have begun on the $11.63 million upgrade of the New England Highway between Warwick and Wallangarra.

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the million upgrade aimed to improve safety for road users through a range of treatments and would be delivered by Queensland Bridge and Civil (QBC).

“We are determined to make this stretch of the New England Highway safer, and this upgrade will see construction of a new overtaking lane and widening of the centreline,” Mr. Bailey said.

“The project will also include hazard-zone vegetation removal, line-marking and a minor intersection upgrade at the Mount Stirling Road intersection.”

Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the upgrade was welcome news for the region, with works aiming to improve road safety and freight efficiency along this stretch of the New England Highway.

“Around 4,700 vehicles use this route every day, and this upgrade means this road is well prepared for future traffic growth,” Mr. Littleproud said.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Barnaby Joyce said works on the project were part of the National Highway Upgrade Program.

“We are committed to improving safety on our national road network, and this significant safety upgrade on the New England Highway between Warwick and Wallangarra is already well underway,” Mr. Joyce said.

Upgrade works began in early January 2018 and are estimated to be completed mid-2018, weather permitting.

The New England Safety package is funded by both the Australian Government ($9.3 million) and the Queensland Government ($2.33 million).