The road freight industry is seen as one of the biggest winners from a new $40 million committment to upgrade intersections in Gilgandra, NSW, to make them safer for heavy vehicles.
The upgrades will be designed to open up bypass access for all heavy vehicles and reduce the number of trucks passing through the Gilgandra CBD.
Currently, some larger heavy vehicles are unable to use Gilgandra’s heavy vehicle bypass because these intersections can’t be safely navigated, meaning some of the biggest and heaviest vehicles need to travel along the Castlereagh Highway (Miller Street) through the town centre.
In a joint media release from NSW and federal governments, Labor said four existing intersections on Hargraves Lane and Federation Street, where they intersect with the Newell, Oxley and Castlereagh highways, will be upgraded to increase freight productivity, reduce travel delays and improve safety.
“These intersection upgrades will be really significant for both Gilgandra locals and the truckies who transport goods through and around the town,” said federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King.
“We’re proud to partner with the NSW Government on strategic investments like this that make our roads safer and more efficient.”
The Australian Government is contributing $32 million towards the project, with the NSW Government contributing the remaining $8 million.
The NSW Government has carried out preliminary investigations to determine the requirements for each of the key intersections and said it is currently consulting with Gilgandra Shire Council and other key stakeholders to refine the proposed improvements.
A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and concept designs for the proposed intersection upgrades are expected to be placed on display for public feedback by late 2025.