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.

This National Highway project is fully funded by the Federal Government.

THE PROJECT

The Australian Government committed up to $6 million in the 2011/12 Federal Budget from the existing Nation Building Program towards planning work on two specific projects on the New England Highway, the Tenterfield Bypass and safety upgrades at Bolivia Hill.  Initial investigations for the Bolivia Hill project are expected to include:

• Community consultation.
• Environmental constraints mapping.
• Technical and engineering aspects.
• Corridor option development.

The study will consider results of the investigations, constraints mapping, technical and engineering aspects, and community comments, to develop a preferred option for this section of the New England Highway.

BACKGROUND

Bolivia Hill is a steep section of the New England Highway half way between Glen Innes and Tenterfield.  It is narrow with a rock face to the east and steep drop to the west.

The main objectives of this project are to improve road safety by reducing the number of crashes and to improve freight productivity.

MORE INFORMATION

For further information please contact the Regional Communications Manager, Sonia George on (02) 6640 1300 or email  Grafton_Regional_Office@rta.nsw.gov.au