Foundation and pavement work have started on the Newell Highway’s newest heavy vehicle rest area, which will also be the largest of its kind in north-western New South Wales.
This project will be delivered as part of the $261 million Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrades project which is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
The Australian Government is contributing $205.7 million, with the remaining $55 million being funded by the New South Wales Government. This project is part of the Australian Government’s $1.5 billion total investment in the Newell Highway.
“A well-functioning freight network is vital for economic prosperity, ensuring industries can thrive, supply chains remain resilient, and communities are connected.” said Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King.
The new rest area will feature:
· 18 heavy vehicle parking spaces up to 48.5 metres long providing for short- and long-term parking
· 10 light vehicle and caravan parking spaces for short-term parking
· toilet facilities, including disabled access
· picnic shelter and solar lighting
· rubbish bins, and tree planting and landscaping.
Located about 12 kilometres north of Narrabri, the new rest area is a key part of the Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrade project that is currently being delivered and involves major upgrades to 20 kilometres of road between Narrabri and Moree.
“On a visit to this site last week, I was impressed with the scope of the works in tailoring around the needs of heavy vehicle drivers, as well as catering for light vehicles and other road users to manage fatigue on the Newell. It was also pleasing to see how the layout of this rest area will deliver a much safer alignment for the road.” said NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison.
“Driver fatigue contributed to at least 20 per cent of heavy vehicle fatal crashes in regional NSW in the five years to December 2023. For the Newell Highway, fatigue is the highest contributing factor accounting for nearly 44 per cent of all heavy vehicle fatal crashes.”
“For too long there has been a shortage of rest areas in north-western NSW and I’m pleased the Albanese and Minns Labor governments are investing in new state-of-the-art facilities, which will reduce driver fatigue, improve road safety, and make journeys more comfortable for all drivers.”
The rest area is expected to be completed by early 2026.
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