The governor officially opened the new freight bypass in Warialda
The New South Wales governor Margaret Beazley helped open a new $8.1 million heavy vehicle freight bypass in Warialda this week.
The new four-kilometre stretch of road has been opened to increase safety and productivity for freight operators driving through Warialda.
Beazley was joined by Federal member for Parkes Mark Coulton, Northern Tablelands state member Adam Marshall and Gwydir Shire Council mayor John Coulton at the opening.
The group say it is an exciting time for Warialda to celebrate the new freight bypass.
“Warialda is a key part of the regional freight network and this route provides access to the livestock exchange at Inverell as well as abattoirs and other markets,” Mark Coulton says.
“After years in the making, it’s wonderful to see this bypass operational and facilitating safer and more productive journeys for our truck drivers.”
Coulton says the upgrades allow local producers to use larger vehicles like road trains and B-triples on the roads.
This change will allow operators to cut transport costs and increase the overall productivity and safety of the industry.
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Marshall says it was terrific to witness trucks finally travelling along the bypass following five years of partnerships and construction.
“This is an important day for Warialda, as a dangerous heavy-vehicle pinch point in the heart of town is rubbed off the map,” Marshall says.
“The existing freight pinch-point was a nightmare for B-doubles to negotiate without crossing the centreline and oncoming traffic, while road trains couldn’t get around it at all.
“By bypassing the intersection of Stephen Street and Gwydir Highway, a safer and more direct route has been made for high productivity freight vehicles.”