The New South Wales government has unveiled plans for a major $24 million infrastructure project aimed at tackling congestion and improving safety on a critical stretch of the Golden Highway.
Project Details and Community Consultation
Construction of a new 1.6-kilometre westbound overtaking lane is scheduled to begin in April. The lane will be situated approximately 12 kilometres west of Merriwa, targeting a specific uphill section known for causing significant delays.
Community consultation on the detailed plan opens to the public and will remain open until December 12. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to submit their feedback on the proposed lane's position via email to Merriwa@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Addressing Long-Standing Regional Needs
Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley, emphasised the region's economic importance, stating, "The Hunter is the economic engine room of this state. For too long that reality was ignored." She affirmed that this project is proof the Minns Labor government is actively listening to communities and backing essential local infrastructure.
The chosen site is a notorious bottleneck where freight and oversized vehicles struggle on the winding and steep terrain between Merriwa and the Krui River. This results in traffic hold-ups for the approximately 2,500 motorists who use this section daily, a figure that includes a substantial 16 per cent heavy vehicle component.
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, declared that regional communities like Merriwa have been "left waiting for basic safety upgrades." She asserted, "Under the Minns government, the regions are no longer an afterthought." The upgrade is fundamentally about enhancing road safety, reducing driver frustration, and ensuring heavy vehicles and motorists can travel with greater confidence.
Funding and Broader Highway Improvements
The funding for this significant project is a combination of $12 million announced during the 2023 election campaign and a further $11.7 million allocated in the 2025-26 NSW budget. This new investment adds to the approximately $133 million already jointly invested by the NSW and federal governments to upgrade the Golden Highway.
The Golden Highway is a vital 313-kilometre route connecting the Hunter Valley to Dubbo. It serves as a crucial east-west corridor and a lifeline for the regional economy, carrying grain, resources, livestock, and local industry to the Port of Newcastle.
Emily Suvaal, NSW Labor spokesperson for Upper Hunter, noted the area has been "crying out for safer overtaking opportunities on this steep section." She also highlighted that the project will support the region in meeting future demands linked to the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.
This work is part of ongoing efforts by Transport for NSW, falling under both federal and state programs focused on heavy vehicle safety and regional freight pinch points. Other recent completions on the highway include climbing lanes at Ogilvies Hill and Winery Hill, with a new flood-resilient bridge currently under construction at Mudies Creek.
