The Beagle
Nov 29, 2017
Member for Monaro John Barilaro today announced safety for motorists on the Kings Highway has been significantly improved with the completion of the final project in a $33 million roads package.
Mr Barilaro said the $17.9 million project to straighten 4.1 kilometres of highway between River Forest Road and Mongarlowe River, about 20 kilometres south east of Braidwood, was the last of 17 projects to be delivered as part of a five-year program of work between Queanbeyan and Nelligen.
"I am glad the 3,000 motorists who travel on the Kings Highway every day now enjoy substantially improved travel conditions," Mr Barilaro said.
“This extensive program of work is a clear demonstration of the NSW Government's commitment to improving road safety in rural and regional communities across the state.”
Roads, Maritime and Freight Minister Melinda Pavey said the $33 million worth of work included improvements to a 117 kilometre section of the highway as well as curve realignment and widening east of Nelligen, and at Misty Mountain.
"The NSW government invested the funding for major improvements on the highway after a road safety review found in the five years to June 2012 there were 173 casualty crashes, resulting in 14 fatalities and 250 injuries," Mrs Pavey said.
"The section of highway near River Forest Road was selected for an upgrade following a tragic double fatality in 2012,” she said.
The NSW Government engaged Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council to carry out the work to remove a number of tight curves to create a new, straighter alignment, including an overtaking lane, widened road shoulders and road side safety barriers to prevent run off road crashes.