Motorists in Dungog Shire are seeing the results of initiatives being delivered to improve safety on local and rural roads.
Upper Hunter Nationals MP Dave Layzell has hosted Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway on a tour of the vital works being delivered by Dungog Shire Council to reduce its backlog of maintenance and improve journeys in the region.
“Locals and visitors are seeing results, after the NSW Government announced in May last year a $25 million commitment to upgrade and improve several sites across the Shire’s regional road network,” Mr Layzell said.
“Work associated with this Special Purpose Grant started late last year and is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
“One of the first major projects is a $3.1 million upgrade of Stroud Hill Road, including widening and stabilising 2.85km of pavement for a safer and more reliable journey, which is expected to be completed by early-2024, weather permitting.”
Other work being carried out by Dungog Shire Council include replacing 23 ageing timber bridges, funded by almost $16.5 million from the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges program.
“These bridge replacements will provide improved access to schools, services and jobs as well as increased freight connectivity and road safety in the community,” Mr Layzell said.
“This includes work currently underway on Archinal’s and Saxby’s bridges, which are due to be complete in coming months, with all 23 bridges expected to be completed by April 2024.
Minister Farraway said freight would also see benefits from the upgrades across the region.
“We’re continuing to improve outcomes for freight through the Fixing Country Roads program, which has funded five projects across the Shire worth $24.5 million, including the new Tillegra Bridge, which is saving truck drivers a 46 kilometre detour between Salisbury and Dungog since it opened in 2021.
“Council is also receiving funding from the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads program, with $6.6 million to complete vital works in the area, including $1.5 million for Salisbury Road and $924,000 for Flat Tops Road – both of which were opened to traffic in April.”
Dungog Council is also working on 13 joint funded upgrades from the Australian and NSW governments worth nearly $40 million through the Black Spot Program, Regional Road Block Grant Program, the Bridge Renewal Program, NSW-Federal Road Safety Program, and other initiatives.
