965Km Of Newell Highway To Complete

Author: NRMA Media Date: 19 November 2008

Touted as Australia's critical inland road link between Brisbane and Melbourne, only nine percent (95 kilometres) of the 1060 kilometres of Newell Highway in NSW contains more than one lane in both directions, according to an audit conducted by NRMA Motoring & Services.

NRMA Motoring & Services regional Director, Graham Blight said while progress to upgrade the highway had improved slightly, including the commencement of the Moree by-pass, an overwhelming amount of improvements needed to be done before the road was brought up to an acceptable standard.

"The report found that trucks represent one in two vehicles on the highway between West Wyalong and Parkes and Narrabri and the Queensland border," Mr Blight said.

"The clear lack of overtaking lanes on the highway makes it dangerous for all motorists. 76 fatalities have been recorded since 2002."

The NRMA audit found that the 47 per cent of all crashes are single vehicle crashes. More than 30 per cent (31) involved a heavy vehicle.

An analysis of crash rates for urban and rural sections revealed that crash rates per 100 million vehicle kilometres travelled (MVKT) for rural areas is higher than those reported in the NRMA's 2002 Newell Highway Audit.

The crash rates analysis showed that the highest rates were in sections between Jerilderie and Forbes and between Coonabarabran and Narrabri, which recorded more than 20 crashes per 100MVKT.

In urban sections, Dubbo experienced the highest crash rate, with approximately 500 crashes and 267 casualties per 100MVKT. Narranderra, West Wyalong, Parkes and Moree all experienced similar rates, with approximately 150-200 crashes and 100-150 casualties per 100MVKT.

The report identified six black spots, three of which were in Dubbo:

• The intersection of the Newell Highway, Alice Street and the Gwydir Highway, Moree
• Newell Highway, from Darling Street to Macquarie Street, Dubbo
• The intersection of the Newell Highway and Thompson Street, Dubbo
• Newell Highway from Victoria Street (Mitchell Highway) to Baird Street, Dubbo
• Newell Highway from Church Street to Dalton Street, Parkes; and
• Newell Highway (Hartigan Avenue) between Forbes Street and Bogan Street, Parkes.

Mr Blight said the sooner we completed the Newell Highway upgrade and by-pass town centres, the faster we could save lives.

"An upgrade of the highway to divided dual-carriageway will be much more attractive for freight as well as primary industry and agricultural vehicle movements and increasing tourism traffic," Mr Blight said.

The audit analysed sections of the Newell Highway and reported on each individually, providing a useful local focus for media. The sections analysed were:

• Tocumwal to Jerilderie (56km)
• Jerilderie to Narrandera (106km)
• Narrandera to West Wyalong (134km)
• West Wyalong to Forbes (99km)
• Forbes to Parkes (30km)
• Parkes to Dubbo (115km)
• Dubbo to Gilgandra (62km)
• Gilgandra to Coonabarabran (93km)
• Coonabarabran to Narrabri (114km)
• Narrabri to Moree (97km)
• Moree to Goondiwindi (121km)

A PDF of the 66 page audit is located in our Research & Reports section or by emailing daniel.stanton@mynrma.com.au. Hard copies are available for mailing.

NOTE: Graham Blight will be in Dubbo today for media opportunities, including a press conference at the Caltex truck stop on Gilgandra Road, North Dubbo at 12 noon.