Some major Northern Rivers roads will be receiving much-needed state government funding to make upgrades that will keep motorists safer.

The NSW Government is investing nearly $46 million in 16 new safety projects under its Towards Zero Safer Roads Program as part of its campaign to reduce crashes and save lives on roads in the regions of New South Wales. Those projects include Summerland Way at The Risk in the Kyogle Shire, the Gwydir Highway, Jackadgery in Clarence Valley and the Bruxner Highway in the Kyogle Shire.

Marking Rural Road Safety Month, the funding is directed to regional communities with a focus on the north of NSW. The funding targets: 

• Key inland highways and corridors, including the New England Highway ($7.9 million), Newell Highway ($8.6 million), Mitchell Highway ($3 million), Kamilaroi Highway ($2.2 million, Summerland Way ($2.1 million) and Olympic Highway ($1.7 million).  
• Great Dividing Range crossings, including the Waterfall Way ($5 million), Oxley Highway ($1.5m), Bruxner Highway ($1.2 million), Gwydir Highway ($4.4 million) and Illawarra Highway ($4.1 million). 

These upgrades are designed to reduce road trauma by addressing high-risk areas and improving infrastructure and are projected to prevent more than 2,000 fatal or serious injuries. Works include shoulder widening, new safety barriers, widening of centre lines, audio tactile markings and other improvements to help motorists.

The new projects are funded through savings from earlier rounds of the program and aim to reduce the number of serious crashes in high-risk rural areas. Works will be carried out by Transport for NSW. 

Rural Road Safety Month is an annual initiative led by the Australian Road Safety Foundation and supported by the NSW Government. It aims to raise awareness about the unique risks faced on country roads. This year’s theme is ‘Step Up For Rural Road Safety’. 

While one-third of NSW residents live in regional areas, more than two-thirds of all road fatalities occur on country roads. 

Launched in 2023, the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program has delivered $328.5 million across 198 safety projects statewide. This includes 54 delivery projects and 79 planning and development projects focused on high-risk rural and regional roads. 

To learn more about the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program, visit: transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/programs/towards-zero-safer-roads-program. 

The Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said, “The NSW Government is reinforcing its commitment to regional road safety, with nearly $46 million reinvested into upgrades like safety barriers, wider shoulders, and clearer line markings that benefit our regional communities. 

“Infrastructure improvements are crucial to reducing crash risks and saving lives.  

“We know around 70 per cent of all fatalities happen on regional roads, and 85 per cent of all fatal crashes on country roads involve a country resident. Rural Road Safety Month is a reminder for every motorist to take responsibility for yourself and for every life around you when on the state’s road network. 

“Driving on country roads poses unique dangers. Environmental factors such as different road conditions and design, higher speed limits and increased roadside hazards such as wildlife contribute to a greater risk and severity of a crash on country roads.  

“There’s no room for complacency. Take breaks, don’t drive under the influence, follow speed limits, watch for wildlife, and drive to conditions. Whether you're a local or a visitor, please take extra care on rural roads.” 

Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Western NSW, Tara Moriarty, said, “The upgrades to Mitchell Highway in the Dubbo region, Kamilaroi Highway in the Liverpool Plains, Olympic Highway in Hilltops and Newell Highway in the Moree plains, will boost safety for local communities. 

“This is a win for the safety of country roads used by locals heading to town or trucks freighting crops, livestock and produce to market and the supplies back to farms. 

“With this being Rural Road Safety Month, I would like to remind every driver to choose road safety first by slowing down and being alert. We all want you to get home safely.” 

Minister for North Coast, Janelle Saffin, said, “This investment is a win for the North Coast, with targeted upgrades to roads like the Summerland Way and Gwydir Highway helping to save lives.  

“Rural Road Safety Month is an important reminder that country roads carry unique risks, and together we can step up for rural safety.   

“Whether you’re commuting, visiting family, or moving freight – every journey on a regional and rural road should be a safe one.”