ROADS and bridges around the region in need of urgent upgrades could be in line for much-needed funding under a multi-million dollar state government program.
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The second round of Fixing Country Roads is now open, with $50 million up for grabs to help improve council-owned road infrastructure.
Local state members Kevin Anderson and Adam Marshall welcomed the announcement and urged local councils to identify those projects of the highest priority.
“The program is designed to better connect local roads to state highways and key freight hubs such as silos, saleyards, rail heads, supermarket distribution centres, industrial parks and depots, to make it easier to move regional freight from paddock to port,” Tamworth MP Mr Anderson said.
The first round of the program was announced in February and provided $43 million in funding to 77 projects across 60 local government areas, including Tamworth Regional and Walcha Shire councils.
Mr Anderson said widening of Bergen Bridge on Thunderbolts Way ($1million), Tamworth’s Phoenix St intersection upgrade ($270,000) and funding for bridge assessments ($850,000) were all successful.
In the electorate of Northern Tablelands, MP Adam Marshall said $2.8 million had been secured for four projects, including Tin Tot Bridge at Inverell and Rockvale Rd near Armidale.
Under the funding arrangements, local councils must contribute to the overall cost. Expressions of interest close on December 11, before a shortlist of projects is selected.
