Significant safety improvements have been addressed with the official opening of the $8 million upgraded Boothenba Road Intersection.
Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Mathew Dickerson, State Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders, Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and Senator Tony Sheldon gathered on Tuesday to officially open the project which delivered a much-needed upgrade to a key freight route.
Dubbo Regional Council received $6 million from a Regional NSW Infrastructure Grant and $2 million from Round 7 of the Federal Government's Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) for the project.
Works included the realignment and widening of the road, creation of a dedicated turning and deceleration lanes, widening of the median islands and new signals at the level crossing intersection Boothenba Road and the Newell Highway.
The project has generated both safety and economic benefits for the area with the Dubbo Regional Livestock Market a critical point within Dubbo's economy.
Quotes attributable to Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Mathew Dickerson
"The completion of this road will provide added safety for important stakeholders within the region.
"With growth throughout the region and increased traffic movements at the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets, it was important to increase safety at this intersection and cater to increased growth that we will see in coming years.
"These works have improved safety and throughput and Dubbo Regional Council is proud to deliver this significant project to our community," Clr Dickerson said.
Quotes attributable to Member for Dubbo and Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Western NSW Dugald Saunders
"Hundreds of thousands of sheep and cattle are transported to the saleyards every year, and now it's easier for heavy vehicles to access the facility with a new, wider road as well as a dedicated turning lane," Mr Saunders said.
"This upgrade will deliver safer and more efficient trips for all of our farmers, agents, meat buyers and truck drivers accessing the saleyards.
"We're committed to making agriculture a $30 billion a year industry by 2030, and it's projects like this that will help us get there."
Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown:
"The project will leave a lasting legacy for the area by bolstering road safety and stimulating the local economy, with the nearby Dubbo Regional Livestock Market being a critical part of Dubbo's economy.
"This is a great example of why the Australian Government is investing an ongoing commitment of at least $65 million every year in the HVSPP, to ensure our truckies have the safe and efficient freight connections they need to get around."
Quotes attributable to Senator for NSW Tony Sheldon:
"Truckies do a great job getting local Aussie goods to national and international markets, and supplies to where they are needed – whether supermarket shelves or regional hospitals – and we are backing them through investment in critical road infrastructure.
"This intersection was a well-known concern to locals, so I'm thrilled to be here today to see it is now better and safer thanks to the collaboration of all three levels of government – demonstrating our joint commitment to regional road safety."
