A $40 million upgrade package for key intersections in Gilgandra has been announced in order to reduce the number of heavy vehicles travelling through the town centre.
Four intersections on Hargreaves Lane and Federation Street, where they intersect with the Newell, Oxley and Castlereagh highways will be upgraded to open up bypass access for all heavy vehicles.
Currently, some larger heavy vehicles are unable to use Gilgandra’s heavy vehicle bypass due to the inability to safely navigate these intersections, leading to a required detour for some of the region’s biggest and heaviest vehicles to travel along the Castlereagh Highway through Gilgandra’s town centre.
“These intersection upgrades will be really significant for both Gilgandra locals and the truckies who transport goods through and around the town,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King says.
A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and concept designs for the proposed intersection upgrades are expected to be placed on display for public feedback by late 2025.
The federal government will contribute $32 million to the project, with the NSW government to contribute the remaining $8 million.
“This investment will be warmly welcomed by the Gilgandra community,” State Member for Barwon Roy Butler says.
“Taking heavy vehicles out of the main streets of town will improve safety, make the town more liveable, decrease wear and tear on the roads and generally improve the efficiency of truck routes in the area.
“It’s good to see both levels of government recognising the strategic importance of the Gilgandra Shire and the benefits that unlocking more investment in our regional network will bring.”
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