Major Intersections Officially Opened in Narrabri Shire

Published on 10 July 2024

Two major intersections have been officially opened by NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison MP, Member for Barwon Roy Butler MP, and Narrabri Shire Council Mayor Darrell Tiemens.

Old Narrabri and Turrawan Road and the Old Gunnedah and Kaputar Road intersections have received major facelifts thanks to funding from the NSW Government.

Minister for Regional NSW the Hon. Tara Moriarty said it’s great to see both projects complete and benefiting local communities.

“Our regional roads are more than just transport links, they link locals to employment, education, medical support, family and friends,” Minister Moriarty said.

“These upgrades will make key intersections and the roads leading into them wider, safer, and able to be used by all kinds of vehicles throughout the year regardless of weather.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads the Hon. Jenny Aitchison said she also welcomes the completions which are meeting a real community need.

“We know locals have been concerned about these intersections for some time, with hundreds of vehicles using them each day,” Minister Aitchison said.

“Now our long-haul drivers, learner drivers, families, workers and visitors to the region will all benefit from these upgrades.”

Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, said “any investments in improvements in road safety are welcome in Barwon. Upgrading the roads will also improve traffic flow in this part of the state.”

“These intersections have been of particular concern, and it is great to see that the government has responded to the need for improvements.”

Mayor Tiemens thanked the NSW Government for the critical funding that enabled upgrades to the intersections.

“These upgrades were essential for improving our region's transportation links, and more importantly – the safety outcomes for all road users,” Cr Tiemens said.

“This funding has allowed Council to upgrade some of the Shires most frequented intersections.”

In 2022, Narrabri Shire Council unanimously passed a recommendation to upgrade the intersection of Old Narrabri and Turrawan Road. A report, tabled by Council's Infrastructure Delivery Director Eloise Chaplain and presented to councillors at the June 2022 council meeting, described the intersection as sub-standard and said it did not meet Transport for NSW or Austroads guidelines.

“The acute angle formed by the intersecting road SR017 Old Narrabri Road and the curvature of the through road SR061 Turrawan Road has resulted in several near misses," the report stated.

The NSW Government awarded funding to Council for the re-alignment of Old Narrabri Road and Turrawan Road and the reconstruction and sealing of 1.3km of gravel road, which included widening to accommodate heavy vehicles, draining improvements and minor modifications to levels.

NSW Government funding also covered the re-alignment, reconstruction and sealing of the Old Gunnedah and Kaputar Road intersection.