More than $30 million will be injected into road safety projects to improve highways in the Central West as part of an Australian and NSW Government blitz designed to reduce road trauma and save lives.
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There is 261 projects slated for priority and 150 of those will focus on regional roads, with four of those plans to be carried out across and near both Bathurst and Orange.
Specifically, more than $17 million will be invested into upgrades on the Mitchell and Great Western Highways, NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole announced.
As someone who proudly lives, works and has raised a family in regional NSW, I know just how important safe, efficient road connections are.
- Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack
A whopping $14.7 million has been allocated to work on the Great Western Highway between Bathurst and Lithgow, with $3 million included to improve the Mitchell Highway between Orange and Bathurst.
"Work will include ... road widening, installing rumble strips, centre wire rope safety barrier, wide centre line and roadside safety barriers," Mr Toole said.
Mr Toole was joined by deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack to announce the funding, which also includes a $12 million upgrade on the Newell Highway near Forbes.
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The Deputy Prime Minister said the work is set to start immediately and expected to be completed by June.
"As someone who proudly lives, works and has raised a family in regional NSW, I know just how important safe, efficient road connections are to local communities," he said.
"That's why we are rolling out this funding to deliver lifesaving upgrades including shoulder sealing, rumble strips to alert drivers when they are moving out of their lane, median upgrades to prevent head-on collisions and barriers to prevent run-off-road crashes and protect against roadside hazards.
"This investment won't just save lives, it will also provide a shot in the arm to local economies as we come back from the COVID-19 recession, with these projects expected to support more than 2,500 direct and indirect jobs."
"Both Governments are doing everything possible to get Central West residents home sooner and safer," Mr Toole added.
"We know how important these upgrades will be to our local community and that's why we are funding them."
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