JENNY AITCHISON
NSW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORT AND ROADS

MEDIA RELEASE - EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT AS BELFORD TO GOLDEN HIGHWAY UPGRADE WRAPS UP MAJOR WORK

Vision pack available here

Christmas has arrived early for Upper Hunter motorists travelling on the New England Highway at Belford with major upgrade work now complete at the Golden Highway intersection.

The upgrade included building a new dual carriageway and flyover bridge for motorists turning right from the Golden Highway.

The upgrade includes an access road for nearby properties on the Golden Highway, plus a new left-turn lane for motorists travelling towards Singleton that connects to the new roundabout on the Golden Highway. Motorists will notice some minor work in the new year to finalise the project including line marking, sign installation and revegetation work. A reduced speed restriction will remain in place until this work is completed.

The project was delivered by Acciona Construction Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of Transport for NSW.

Quotes attributed to Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“The completion of this project has delivered improved safety, travel times and reliability for the more than 25,000 motorists who travel along this section of the New England Highway each day.

“Since its opening in July, the new flyover has provided a significant improvement in safety at this notorious pinch point, especially with the removal of the right turn onto the New England Highway.

“The NSW Government has invested $97 million for the upgrade with work due to be complete late next year – but our contractors have pulled out all the stops and are finishing ahead of schedule. “This is a huge win for road users and the local community.”

Quotes attributed to Labor’s spokesperson for Upper Hunter, Emily Suvaal MLC:

“The completion of major work on the Belford to Golden Highway is the early Christmas present Upper Hunter motorists deserve.

“This upgrade has significantly improved travel times with motorists no longer having to queue during peak periods along the Golden Highway.

“The highway is also a designated B-Double route, used extensively for heavy vehicles servicing coal mining, grain production and other essential industries and this upgrade improves travel time and safety not just for these trucks, but also for the other vehicles sharing the road.

“We thank the community for its patience while the project was being carried out. We’d also like to thank the contractors who have worked hard in delivering this upgrade ahead of schedule.”

MEDIA: Wendy Fitzgibbon | Minister Aitchison | 0408 427 540