A $10 million program of safety improvements are aimed at making the Gwydir Highway more resistant to future natural disasters.
The works along this important freight route will take place approximately 75 kilometres from Glen Innes and 87 kilometres from Grafton.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison explained, “This is one of the betterment projects to be funded through the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package, a program to ‘build back better’ after a natural disaster to make our roads more resilient against future events.
“This betterment package means roads and other transport assets will be able to stay open longer during a disaster or open again sooner after the disaster has passed, allowing vital food, medical supplies and other essentials to be moved and hastening recovery for local communities.”
Upgrades will include works to improve slope stability, making the road less vulnerable to slope failures, scour, water inundation and pavement damage on a section of the highway with a long history of landslips.
One kilometre of roadside concrete kerb drain will be installed, and other drainage improvement works carried out to redirect water safely away from unstable areas.