Following the completion of $195 million in sealing works to two outback highways, NSW now has a fully sealed road network.
The recent completion of the 132-kilometre Cobb Highway sealing project follows sealing works to a 153-kilometre section of Silver City Highway that was finished in late 2022.
This comes as crews finished sealing the final 3.9-kilometre section of the Cobb Highway near Halfway Tree between Ivanhoe and Wilcannnia.
About 150 workers were employed each year on the project which began over a decade ago in 2011.
Due to the remote location of the works, makeshift camps were built for workers near highway work sites.
About 700,000 tonnes of crushed gravel and 43,000 tonnes of aggregate was used to build and seal the Cobb Highway.
“Prior to being sealed, both highways could be closed several weeks a year due to wet weather and these closures hit residents and businesses hard while cutting access to essential services and isolating interstate road users,” said independent member for Barwon Roy Butler.
“The sealing of both highways now means the need for road closures has been reduced.
“The highways will also be safer for tourists visiting the outback who, along with people moving livestock and freight operators, will also benefit from reduced travel times.”