The New South wales Government has announced it will invest $5 billion to build and maintain critical road and maritime infrastructures across the state.

 

“This year’s budget includes a significant investment aimed at tackling ongestion in our busy city areas and improving our rural and regional network with major commitments to the Pacific, Princes, Hume and Great Western highways,” NSW Roads and Ports Minister Duncan Gay said.

 

Features of the roads and maritime budget include:

  • $2.2 billion for new roads;
  • $1.3 billion for maintenance of the State’s existing roads;
  • $311 million for improvements to the traffic network;
  • $270 million for road safety; and
  •  $17 million for commuter wharf upgrades.

 

Key initiatives to improve NSW roads include:

 

  • $530 million to continue building the Hunter Expressway between the F3 Freeway at Seahampton and the New England Highway at Branxton (State and Federal funded);
  • $240 million to start  work on the Pacific Highway upgrade between Tintenbar and Ewingsdale, north of Ballina (State and Federal funded);
  • $180 million to continue work on the dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Coffs Harbour (Sapphire) and Woolgoolga (State and Federal funded); $90 million to start major work on the Gerringong upgrade of the Princes Highway between Mount Pleasant and Toolijooa Road;
  • $70 million to continue planning the upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Woolgoolga and Ballina (State and Federal funded).

 

This year’s Budget also has funds allocated to complete a number of important projects including:

  • $100 million to complete  the Holbrook bypass as the final stage of the Hume Highway duplication between Sydney and Melbourne (State and Federal funded);
  • $59 million to complete the dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway at Bulahdelah (State and Federal funded).

Also announced was:

  • $10 million to finalise planning and start work on the four lane divided road upgrade of Nelson Bay Road, between Bobs Farm and Anna Bay;
  • $9 million to upgrade the New England Highway between the hospital and railway station roundabouts in Maitland;
  • $8 million to upgrade of Raymond Terrace-Dungog Road by Port Stephens and Dungog councils;
  • $6 million to upgrade Hunter Region wine roads;
  • $5 million  to upgrade of Wallanbah and Avalon Road by Greater Taree Council;
  • $1 million for replacement of railway level crossing on Woy Woy Road at Horsfield Bay; and
  • $1 million to upgrade Wisemans Ferry Road on the Central Coast.