The federal government had promised $100,000 toward the study and project planning during the July election campaign and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester reaffirmed the commitment during a visit to Dixons Long Point on Wednesday. 

“This is a piece of infrastructure referred to as the missing link between two regional centres that play a fundamental role in the state’s wine and tourism industries,” he said.

Currently, the crossing over the Macquarie River is only possible with a four-wheel drive and much of the route is dirt, but an upgraded road and crossing would cut the route to Mudgee or Gulgong by 80 kilometres.

Travellers either have to drive through Bathurst and Sofala or through Wellington and Gulgong.

The project has been discussed since Sir Charles Cutler was the member for Orange 70 years ago.