In a move to bolster road safety and longevity, the Minns Labor Government has announced a $37.5 million investment aimed at refurbishing over 470 kilometres of state-managed roads in regional New South Wales, with important roads in the Snowy Monaro set-to benefit from spray sealing. This initiative, part of a broader strategy to enhance the safety, resilience, and reliability of the state’s road infrastructure, is scheduled to run until June 2026.
PHOTO: Kosciuszko Road is included in the 10-month spray sealing program.
Transport for NSW is spearheading a 10-month spray sealing program that spans more than 20 road corridors from Broken Hill to Byron Bay, extending down to Eden. The application of hot bitumen and aggregate technology promises to protect these roads from heavy rain damage and improve grip in all weather conditions, potentially extending the lifespan of these roads by up to a decade.
This substantial investment complements the government’s previously announced $155 million investment focused on pothole and road repair in regional areas.
- Western NSW ($25 million): More than 300 kilometres including Gwydir Highway, Kamilaroi Highway, Carnarvon Highway, Newell Highway, Oxley Highway, Castlereagh Highway, Mitchell Highway, Golden Highway , Mendooran Road, plus Barrier and Silver City highways (works from September 2025 to June 2026)
- Southern NSW ($8.38 million): Nearly 100 kilometres including Snowy Mountains Highway, Princes Highway, Moss Vale Road, Kosciuszko Road, Hume Highway, Illawarra Highway, Federal Highway, Appin Road and Monaro Highway (works from October 2025 to April 2026)
- Northern NSW ($4.5 million): Over 70 kilometres including New England Highway, Gwydir Highway, and Bruxner Highway (works from October 2025 to March 2026)
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, asserted, “The Minns Labor Government is committed to building better communities across NSW. These aren’t just roads – they’re vital lifelines connecting regional communities to essential services. Strong regional roads are synonymous with strong regional communities.”
PHOTO: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison.
Western NSW will see the most significant share of the investment, with $25 million allocated for more than 300 kilometres of road, including major highways like the Gwydir and Newell. Southern NSW will benefit from an $8.38 million upgrade over nearly 100 kilometres, and Northern NSW has been earmarked $4.5 million for over 70 kilometres. Work has already commenced, with a reported 45 kilometres around Broken Hill under repair since September.
Peter Khoury, spokesperson for NRMA, expressed: “The NRMA welcomes this critical funding commitment, particularly the introduction of new technology which will lead to safer and more resilient roads.”
The program not only aims to deliver smoother journeys but also enhance safety for thousands of motorists who rely on these crucial routes daily.