Bolivia Hill upgrade closer to reality with call for tenders
05 September 2017
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Tenders called for qualified contractors to deliver the New England Highway—Bolivia Hill upgrade
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Upgrade from Glen Innes to Tenterfield will improve driver safety
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Project jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments
Australian Government: Another step has been taken in
upgrading the
Bolivia Hill stretch of the New England Highway, with the
Australian and
New South Wales governments calling for tenders to
deliver the project.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said
the upgrade, which is expected to cost around $80 million, would deliver
significant road safety improvements between Glen Innes and Tenterfield.
“This section of the New England Highway has seen a number of crashes
over the past decade, which is why the Australian and New South Wales
governments are working together to make this stretch of
road safer and
more efficient,” Mr Chester said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce
welcomed the next stage of the project and said any investment in the
New England Highway was an investment in local businesses, farming
operations and communities.
“The highway is an important freight and commuter corridor between
Sydney and
Brisbane, and a critical part of keeping our regional and
national economies powering on,” Mr Joyce said.
“The Bolivia Hill upgrade builds on a number of ongoing investments in
the highway, including the $120 million Scone Bypass, the $3 million
Armidale Airport Roundabout, and the $10 million I recently confirmed
for the future Tenterfield Heavy Vehicle Bypass.”
Minister for Roads Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said realigning
the highway at this location would improve safety for all road users,
particularly drivers of heavy vehicles, as uphill travel will be easier
once the upgrade is completed.
“The New England Highway is not only an important freight route between
Sydney and Brisbane but an alternative to the Pacific Highway,” Mrs
Pavey said.
New South Wales Member for Lismore Thomas George said the upgrade would
involve building a new 320-metre-long bridge, and widening lanes and
road shoulders in both directions.
“It is exciting to see the Bolivia Hill upgrade moving closer to
reality. When complete, I am sure the highway will fully match the
community's expectations,” Mr George said.
Work on the upgrade is expected to start in early 2018 and take about
two years to complete. The Australian Government has committed $55
million and the New South Wales Government around $25 million to the
project.
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Source: Australian Government - www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au
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