Newell Highway Taskforce

The Newell Highway Taskforce was established in 2009. This Taskforce consists of representatives of local government areas through which the Newell Highway passes, the NRMA, members of Parliament, truck operators and transport groups. The Taskforce meets three to four times per year.

Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) is invited to attend the meetings, as a guest, to report on works being carried out on the Newell Highway. These works include those that have been and will be carried out as part of the 2009 Newell Highway Safety Review, those carried out under the normal maintenance program and other specific works.

This group also works closely with groups such as the Newell Highway Promotions Committee.

Other matters typically discussed include:

• Centre line trials.
• The overtaking lanes strategy for the Newell Highway.
• Signs at rest areas and advance notice of rest areas.
• Cleanliness of toilets at rest areas.
• New rest areas being completed and upgrades of existing facilities.

A draft overtaking lane strategy for the Newell was presented to the Taskforce at Narrabri in March 2011 for comment,and is available below.

NEWELL HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT

The speed limit for cars on sections of the Newell Highway was changed from 110km/h to 100 km/h in December 2009.

There is a wide range of views on how best to improve safety on the Newell. Residents and stakeholders raised concerns about lowering the speed limit on sections of the highway from 110km/h to 100 km/h. Some of these concerns included:

• Sections of the route are perceived as satisfactory for car travel at 110km/h.
• Limiting cars to 100km/h could mean they would be bunched behind trucks, without enough safe overtaking opportunities.
• Lowering the speed limit for motorists would mean long distance drivers would be more likely to become fatigued.

One of the commitments made by the current NSW Government prior to its election was to raise the speed limit on the Newell Highway back to 110 km/h where applicable.

On 31 July 2011, the open road speed limit for light vehicles along most of the Newell Highway changed to 110 km/h, with the exception of short lengths south of Peak Hill, south of Forbes and around Jerilderie, which have remained at 100 km/h due to the road alignment. The length of road from Tooraweenah to north of Coonabarabran, was unaffected by the increased speed limit and remains speed zoned 100 km/h. These areas are clearly signposted. The current speed limits in townships also remain unchanged.

The 110 km/h speed limit applies to light vehicles (cars and motorcycles) only. Speed limits for heavy vehicles, buses and coaches, and other special purpose vehicles on the Newell Highway remain unchanged.

OVERTAKING LANES

A specialist engineering consultancy, Cardno, has undertaken a traffic study of the Newell Highway on behalf of Roads and Maritime Services to determine the best locations to construct additional overtaking lanes. A copy of the report is available below.

OVERTAKING LANE WORKS

The NSW Government is allocating $10 million over two years to construct a number of overtaking lanes. During 2011/12 three overtaking lanes will be constructed between Narrabri and Moree. These sites have been chosen from the "higher priority" list in the Cardno report.

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