The long-awaited bridge over the Macquarie River at Dixons Long Point has received a further $9.8 million in the federal Budget to be announced on Tuesday.
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Preliminary work has begun on the project with the design options set to be released soon.
Member for Calare Andrew Gee said the federal government had now committed to spend $29.8 million on the project.
He said the upgraded crossing would create a crucial link between the Orange and Cabonne areas and the Mudgee region.
"This project was recognised as being one of strategic importance. It has far reaching implications in terms of tourism, jobs and economic productivity," he said.
"After the economic impact of COVID-19, this capital injection in our local economy could not have come at a better time."
Mr Gee said the bridge crossing would create a "unique regional tourist trail" through the Central West.
"For more than 160 years, the people of Central Western NSW have been seeking a crossing over the Macquarie River at Dixons Long Point," he said.
"It's been the Holy Grail of unfinished road projects and it's time has come."
He said the project would create jobs and more efficient travel times.
"There's been a significant amount of work carried out on the project to date, to the point where we're just about to launch the design options for public consultation.
"The design and report work has been very comprehensive and I think people are going to like what they see."
The project is being commissioned by Mid Western Regional Council and Cabonne Shire Council and administered through Roads and Maritime Services.
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