First proposed in 2015 the actual construction of a flyover at the intersection of the New England and Golden highways at Belford is expected to start later this year.
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In good news for regular users of intersection a construction contract was awarded to Acciona Construction Australia Pty Ltd to carry out the work that also includes a dual carriageway from Bell Road to the intersection of the two highways and a new bridge over Mudies Creek at (Mitchell Line Road) Whittingham.
The NSW Government has provided $97 million for the highway upgrade and flyover with both the NSW and Federal governments jointly funding the $16m for Mudies Creek Bridge.
This section of the New England Highway has been the site of a number of fatalities during the past decade and this has resulted in a drop in the speed limit and various upgrades to the intersection to make it safer.
However, this work has not lessened the bottlenecks that occur, especially during the peak afternoon periods, when traffic can back up on both highways. It has been estimated nearly 9000 workers drive-in and drive-out each day along theses roads to work in the mining industry in the Singleton Local Government Area.
The existing low level bridge at Mudies Creek will be upgraded to a new 30-metre-long bridge, five metres above the current road level and high enough to withstand a one-in-100-year flood.
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
