BETTER CONNECTIONS FOR GRAIN FREIGHT THROUGH WEDDIN
February 28, 2018
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke says vital completed upgrades to 12.5 kilometres of Greenethorpe–Bumbaldry Road will connect the region and boost safety and efficiency for drivers and producers.
“I am very proud that the NSW Government has supported the local community of Greenethorpe by committing $1.1 million to fund this important project through the Restart NSW Fixing Country Roads program,” Ms Cooke said.
“The program funds vital road upgrades to better connect local and regional roads to state highways and key freight hubs.”
The widening and strengthening of the road will allow B-Double transport between the Mid-Western Highway and Greenethorpe Grain Silo.
This includes 10.74 kilometres of Greenethorpe-Bumbaldry Road, 0.76 kilometres through the township of Greenethorpe and a further one kilometre of Greenethorpe-Koorawatha Road linking the eastern grain bunker.
Ms Cooke said important safety upgrades have also been undertaken as part of the project.
“Strengthening causeways, installing and extending culverts and installing guard rails and other road safety features have been carried out on certain parts of the road,” Ms Cooke said.
“Minor adjustments in vertical and horizontal alignments have also been carried out to improve safety and sight distances.”
Ms Cooke said the road upgrades have reduced the travel distance for B-Double freight by 52 kilometres.
“The upgraded road has eliminated the detours vehicles would have otherwise had to take and connects travellers directly to the Mid-Western Highway,” Ms Cooke said.
“It has also meant that larger trucks with increased capacity can increase the overall freight volume while also reducing the actual number of trucks on the road.
“Freight is worth $60 billion to the NSW economy so it is vital that our regional roads are able to support more efficient freight movements in and out of our regional areas.”
The project also received $1.1 million in funding from Weddin Shire Council, which managed the works.
The works were completed in December last year.
