MOTORISTS on the Oxley Highway are enjoying smoother and safer journeys with $12.5 million of improvements now completed about 50 kilometres west of Gunnedah.
The upgrades to a six-kilometre stretch of the highway at Goolhi included widening the road, widening nine culverts for improved drainage, installing safety barriers and resealing the section of road.
Transport for NSW acting regional director west, Paul Polansky, said the Oxley Highway was a key regional route linking western New South Wales with the eastern seaboard and these improvements would benefit all road users.
“A combined work crew of 14 people, including those managing traffic control, worked on the final stage of the project, only stopping for eight days due to wet weather since the work started in September last year,” Mr Polansky said.
“This is a great result for the safety of all motorists in the state’s north-west as they now have a stronger and more resilient road to travel on.
“The road improvements have delivered a smoother and safer ride for local, tourist and freight road users and mean this stretch of the highway is in better shape.”
This section of the Oxley Highway has required routine and heavy patching maintenance in recent years due to highly expansive soils and the age of the pavement.
Mr Polansky said the work would reset the lifespan of the pavement, improve drainage, reinstate a smooth ride and reduce ongoing maintenance costs.
“The pavement improvements deliver a better overall experience for road users as they reduce disruptions due to roadworks and closures,” Mr Polansky said.
“This is particularly important for heavy vehicle drivers and the freight industry who rely on this route to move their goods across New South Wales.
“By investing now to improve the quality and durability of transport infrastructure, we reduce the ongoing costs of maintenance.
“Additionally, there are safety improvements resulting from new safety barriers, wider sealed shoulders and curve improvements.”
