Work has started on a $1.9m upgrade to Tocal Road at Bolwarra Heights in NSW, improving access for heavy vehicles along a key freight route.
Jointly funded by the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Fixing Country Roads Program and Maitland City Council, work will occur between Maitland Vale Road and Lang Drive and include new drainage and pavement reconstruction to make the road safer.
The project will involve resurfacing and widening two sections of Tocal Road to have wider 3.5 metre travel lanes in each direction, with a section of the road to be realigned to improve sight distance and safety.
Maitland City Council is contributing $997,800 to the project, while the NSW Government is contributing $915,000.
NSW minister for regional transport and roads and member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison said it’s “fantastic” to see the project starting construction.
“Upgrading Tocal Road will improve the connectivity and safety for journeys between regional centres of Maitland and Dungog especially for heavy vehicles,” she continued.
“The Maitland area services a variety of industries from agriculture, tourism, mining, manufacturing, transport and construction, which will benefit from this upgrade.
“Tocal Road is an essential freight route and this project will improve access for larger trucks.
“As these vehicles can carry more freight more safely, in fewer trips, the project will lead to more efficient journeys and less heavy vehicles on our roads.”
Road works started in early April 2024 and are expected to take six months to complete, weather permitting.