Rumble strips are being installed along a 500-kilometre section of the Mitchell Highway, between Orange in the state’s central west and Bourke in the far north-west.
Work to install the Audio Tactile Line Marking (ATLM) – which are more commonly known as rumble strips – began at Nyngan and is scheduled to continue progressively along the route until May.
The work involves installing approximately 800 kilometres of rumble strips, which includes edge and centre lines, and about 300 kilometres of new line marking.
“The safety of all road users is our number one priority and rumble strips are a highly effective safety treatment, proven to reduce crashes by 15 to 25 per cent,” said Minister for Regional Transport and Road Jenny Aitchison.
“The Mitchell Highway is a significant route for NSW travellers and freight operators connecting the central west to the northern region up to the Queensland border.
“Providing that vibration effect if a vehicle leaves its travel lane alerts the driver and provides time for them to correct their path to avoid a serious accident.”
Independent Member for Orange Phil Donato added, “Fatigue is often a contributing factor in serious collisions on country roads, and rumble strips will be an important safety upgrade to help decrease the incidence of fatal and other serious motor vehicle collisions on this busy route.”
The Orange to Bourke project is part of the NSW Government’s $46 million Saving Lives accelerated Program to install ATLM on key regional and rural routes in the three years to 2026.
More than 2700 kilometres of rumble strips will be installed along regional NSW highways in bid to help combat driver fatigue and save lives on country roads.