Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce in Muswellbrook to spruik funding for town bypass
Construction on the four-year, $336m bypass will start next year in what leaders say will create hundreds of jobs and a more efficient freight route.
Newcastle
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Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has spruiked the funding of the Muswellbrook bypass, saying it would create hundreds of jobs and a more efficient freight route.
The New England MP travelled to the Hunter Valley town on Tuesday to re-announce the long-awaited New England Highway upgrade.
Funding for the bypass, which has been an election promise of the National Party for at least 15 years, was in last week’s federal budget.
Construction on the project is expected to start early next year and be completed by late 2027.
The Federal Government has committed $268.8m to the project while the State Government will contribute $67.2m in an 80/20 split between the governments.
A statement from Mr Joyce’s office on Tuesday said the project was expected to support 720 direct and 1090 indirect jobs.
“The Hunter region is home to some of our most valuable commodities. Building the Muswellbrook bypass will ensure these products continue flowing smoothly and safely to our ports,” Mr Joyce said.
“The sooner our valuable commodities are loaded onto boats and sent overseas, the sooner we get paid and the stronger we become. That is why we are investing in this critical transport route.”
Transport for NSW said on its website that the preferred route corridor for the bypass was published in 2018 and a preferred option was announced in November 2020.
The preferred option included a refined alignment of the bypass south of Coal Road, and full southern and northern connections with the existing New England Highway.
A review of the concept design and environmental factors closed in February and a report on the submissions is expected to be available by mid-2022.
NSW Deputy Premier and Nationals leader Paul Toole said in a statement that the investment on the Muswellbrook bypass had brought the total joint investment in the New England Highway to more than $1.1 billion.
“We are getting on with the job of transforming journeys right along the New England Highway, having delivered the $137m Scone bypass ahead of schedule in 2020, and committing $700m to build the Singleton bypass, on track for construction in 2023,” Mr Toole said.
“The New England Highway is a major freight and commuter route, and these bypasses will remove through traffic, dramatically reduce congestion and return local streets to the community.”
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