In February 2010, the New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) (Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority)) completed realignment work on a two kilometre section of the New England Highway, 17 kilometres north of Armidale.  The $13.5 million project was  fully funded by the Federal Government.

The project

The realignment improved a poor section of road that had sharp curves and crests in a rural environment as well as a substandard intersection with Sunnyside Road.

In the nine years between 1996 and 2005 there were 27 recorded crashes with three fatalities on this section of the New England Highway.  The poor road alignment had been identified as a contributing factor to these crashes.

The realignment of this section of the New England Highway has the following benefits:

• Improved road safety.
• Reduced travel times for motorists.
• Improved access for road users.
• Reduced maintenance costs.

Background

The New England Highway is the major link from the Hunter Region to the New England area and beyond.  The highway is also a major route for heavy transport from Sydney to Brisbane and provides an alternative route to the Pacific Highway.

The contract for this project was awarded to Daracon Contractors Pty Ltd.

Consultation

Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority)'s project team worked closely with the local Aboriginal community to protect Aboriginal heritage in the Sunnyside area.  As a result, a number of archeological sites and a cultural site were identified within a eight kilometre radius of the project area.  For more detail in regard to the Aboriginal cultural significance in relation to this project, please contact Roads and Maritime Services' (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) Northern Region office on 131782.