Work is now underway to flood-proof the notorious Washpool section of the Gwydir Highway.
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The $7.1 million project to raise and rebuild the flood-prone stretch of road, about 17 kilometres east of Moree, began on Monday, October 12 and will continue from 7am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, with the creation of a side road to direct motorists around the work site.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall turned the first ceremonial sod of soil on the project which he said would ensure the Gwydir Highway continued to provide a crucial link for tourists, freight operators, and more importantly, local residents accessing various services in town.
"The Washpool is one of the first sections of the Gwydir Highway to be topped by floodwaters and it's raising has been a long standing priority for locals and Moree Plains Shire Council," he said.
"The $7.1 million project to raise and widen this section of the highway, build 1.5-metre-wide shoulders and install large drains alongside the highway will improve flood immunity along this vital route.
"An important part of the work will be replacing the existing three-box cell culvert drain with a 20-box cell culvert to move more water away from the road."
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When first announced early last year, the project had a $4.5 million price tag, but Mr Marshall said that once detailed design work was done and flood data analysed, more money was allocated to expand the scope of the works.
"This is now a much larger project than first envisaged, but it will ensure the road doesn't go under and wash away in floods and that floodwaters are not diverted onto neighbouring properties," he said.
"This project will also be a huge win for the freight and agricultural industry because it means essential goods can keep moving after floods - and that's important with the NSW regional freight task expected to increase by 12 percent to 286 million tonnes by 2036.
"This project should keep this section of the highway open and negate the need to rebuild it after every flood, which is great news for our region."
Reduced speed limits and intermittent closures will be in place for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of next year, weather permitting.
Transport for NSW will keep the community informed as work progresses.