Work will start on upgrading a 1.71km section of the Sturt Highway at Borambola early next year.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) said the work will be carried out in two stages between McGeochs South Road and Martins Road, about 25km east of Wagga Wagga.
The project aims to improve network efficiency and longevity of the road, reduce maintenance, and provide smoother, safer journeys.
Work will include widening and resurfacing the highway, upgrading drains and cleaning culverts, upgrading existing barriers, and installing new signs and line marking.
TfNSW said stage one will begin in early February at the western end of the project, taking about 14 weeks to complete, with stage two to follow next financial year.
TfNSW Executive Director Partnerships and Integration South, Cassandra Ffrench, said the Sturt Highway provides a strategic freight and access link from Sydney, via the Hume Highway, to Mildura in Victoria and on to Adelaide in South Australia.
“It also serves as a local and regional access corridor, particularly to Wagga Wagga where people access goods, services and employment,” she said.
“We understand the safety and reliability of the Sturt Highway are important for all road users as it connects the Hume Highway to the major regional centre of Wagga.
“The key benefits of this important project include reducing the chance and severity of road crashes, improving the road width to include a one-metre wide centre line, and providing a smoother, longer lasting road.
Ffrench said TfNSW plans to carry out this work with as few impacts as possible.
“There is no ideal time to do this work, and we thank the community for its patience while these important upgrades are carried out.”
Changed traffic conditions including traffic control, lane closures, and reduced speed limits will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists.
Access to properties within the work area will be maintained under traffic control.
Most of the work will be carried out Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, with work on Saturdays between 8am and 1pm as needed.
Oversize and overmass (OSOM) vehicles up to 5.5 metres wide will have access through the work area under traffic control.
Drivers are advised to allow an additional 15 minutes’ travel time, and to follow the direction of signs and traffic control.