Local businesses, suppliers and contractors are invited to tender for work to build new overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway between Coonabarabran and Narrabri.
The Australian and New South Wales governments are jointly funding the rollout of additional overtaking lanes along this busy freight corridor, with 19 new lanes already delivered, eight under construction and 13 more in the planning stage.
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the addition of new overtaking lanes to the Newell was transforming one of the state’s busiest freight corridors.
“Since the start of the program, about 167 local subcontractors and suppliers have contributed to these 19 overtaking lanes and the road safety work we’ve already delivered along the length of the Newell Highway, with eight more overtaking lanes in construction and 13 in the planning stage,” Toole said.
“We want to see even more local suppliers and workers help deliver the latest overtaking lanes at the Pilliga because we know how important it is to keep jobs and money in the regions, especially during these challenging times.”
When the lane program is finished, Toole said it will save about 33 minutes of travel time along the length of the highway from the Victorian border to Queensland.
New South Wales Member of the Legislative Council Sam Farraway said local suppliers and contractors will be able to tender for work for a vast array of goods and services, including plant hire, concrete supply, sealing work, pavement stabilisation and labour hire.
“I’m encouraging as many local businesses and contractors to find out more about the opportunities on offer to help build these overtaking lanes,” Farraway said.
Initial work on the construction site is due to start in October, weather permitting, with the project due to be completed at the end of 2022.
To register your interest as a supplier or contractor, email tenders@newellhpa.com.au. Registration to receive tender packages closes by midnight October 5, 2021.
The Australian Government has invested in $891.6 million towards the Newell Highway in New South Wales, including $60 million to build additional overtaking lanes, under the Newell Highway Upgrade Program.
The overall Newell Highway Upgrade – Overtaking Lanes project will enable approximately 10 additional lanes to be built, with Commonwealth funding going towards approximately 20 of the 40 new lanes.
Two overtaking lanes were recently extended near Tap Hill in the north west to join up and create the longest overtaking lane on the busy freight corridor.
The extensions, about 49 kilometres north of Gilgandra, have closed the gap between two existing northbound overtaking lanes to create one massive 5.7km overtaking lane.
“This is not only the longest overtaking lane on the Newell, it is one of the longest in the state and will provide road users more opportunity to safely pass slower and longer vehicles on this key tourism and freight route,” said Toole.