General News
1 February, 2025
More funding announced for road upgrades to Federation Street
The state government have announced $8 million, adding to $32 million already committed to fund the Hargraves Lane and Federation Street upgrades with the intersections of the Newell, Oxley, and Castlereagh Highways.
The project aims to increase freight productivity, improve safety, and reduce travel delays for all road users. Currently, some larger vehicles are unable to use the heavy vehicle bypass because of safety concerns, meaning some of the biggest vehicles travel through town along Miller Street. It is expected the completed works will reduce the number of heavy vehicles travelling through the town centre.
In the 2021 federal budget, the former coalition government announced $32 million for the Hargraves Lane and Federation Street upgrades. Now the state government has put in a further $8 million—to bring the total expanded project to $40 million.
Federal Labor infrastructure, transport, regional development, and local government minister Catherine King was among a few members of parliament that made the recent announcement.
“These intersection upgrades will be really significant for both Gilgandra locals and the truckies who transport goods through and around town,” said minister King.
“We’re proud to partner with the NSW government on strategic investments like this that make our roads safer and more efficient,” she continued.
Consultation with Gilgandra Shire Council began in November last year following preliminary investigations that confirmed the safety concerns, turn path issues, and route efficiency cited by heavy vehicle drivers. Plans for the upgrade are in their earliest stage, with a full review of environmental factors (REF) and concept designs for the proposed intersection upgrades planned to be put on display for public feedback by year's end.
NSW regional transport and roads minister Jenny Aitchison said: “We look forward to continuing to engage with Gilgandra Shire Council, the local community, the heavy vehicle industry and other interested stakeholders to deliver the freight, safety, efficiency and amenity objectives of the project.”
