Upgrades to the Snowy Mountains Highway are underway with improvements coming thanks to a $36 million investment. Jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments under the Road Safety Program, the first two of four projects stretching almost the full 333-kilometre length of the Snowy Mountains Highway commenced today, with all projects expected to be completed by mid-2026.
PHOTO: The Snowy Mountains Highway, has a 129km stretch between Cooma and Tumut CREDIT: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service – Murray Vanderveer
Kristy McBain, Member for Eden-Monaro, stressed the significance of these upgrades amidst rising traffic: “The Snowy Mountains Highway is busier than ever… which is why we’re committed to making this critical road network safer.”
NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that while regional NSW houses a third of the state’s population, it accounts for nearly two-thirds of road fatalities. “This investment is a crucial step toward making [road safety] a reality,” she stated.
PHOTO: NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison.
The highway serves as the main artery for freight and tourism, linking regional New South Wales with the South Coast and facilitating connections for the local timber industry to major ports in Sydney and Melbourne.
PHOTO: Map of Snowy Mountains Highway – CREDIT: NSW Government
Recognising its importance, the project will introduce multiple safety measures. These include tactile line markings, also known as rumble strips, which Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland, explains, “alert a driver through noise and vibration” and potentially reduce crash risks by up to 25%.
Member for Monaro, Steve Whan, and Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, advocated for the project, citing the potential for safety barriers and other measures to drastically reduce accident severity.
“I’m pleased the state and federal Labor teams are working together to deliver this $36 million safety boost. Safety barriers have been found to reduce the severity of run-off road crashes and will go a long way to improving safety on the Snowy Mountains Highway,” Mr Whan said.
PHOTO: Member for Monaro, Steve Whan.
Later this year, Transport for NSW will also start work on upgrades to the intersection of Black Creek Road, west of Adelong, by realigning tight radius curves, widening shoulders, improving drainage and installing new safety barriers.
The community will be notified of any changes to the work schedule as work progresses.
For more information, visit Snowy Mountains Highway | Transport for NSW or download the Life Traffic NSW app.
Safety improvements start schedule:
- Monday April 7 – between Monaro Highway and the Princes Highway
- Monday April 7 – between Tumut and Cooma
- From mid-May – between the Hume Highway and Tumut
- From October – as Sandy Gully (Black Creek Road intersection)