Work to upgrade one of the region's most dangerous roads is nearing completion.
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Werris Creek Road has undergone a $470,000 facelift thanks to the federal government's Black Spot Program,
Work has included widening part of the road near Duri by two metres, resurfacing and removing a dip in the road.
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New England MP Barnaby Joyce said upgrading the road was critical to the safety of locals.
"It's been a big issue," Mr Joyce said.
"In the last five years, we've had two head-ons and tragically one fatality on this road.
"Working with council, the federal government has now made sure we have widened the road."
Tamworth mayor Col Murray said upgrading the road had been a long-time priority for the council.
"It's certainly a high priority on our radar and it's been part of every discussion when we talk about road funding," Cr Murray said.
"Werris Creek Road is a very important road for us and the shear weight of traffic numbers suggests it's very important to the broader community.
"Works to this road have been pretty much continual and we have received funding in the past from the Black Spot Program and we will continue to upgrade it as funding becomes available."
Cr Murray said upgrading the region's roads was critical to the council's plans to help grow the population.
"It's incredibly important that we have that good connectivity and are productive in the regions," he said.
"In the country we contribute a lot to the GDP and we need to have good roads to be able to continue that in a productive manner."
Deputy Prime Minister and federal Transport Minister Michael McCormack said the upgrade would "help future-proof Australian infrastructure and reduce the tragic loss of life on our roads."
"This is yet another example of the Australian government continuing to roll out these types of major projects across Australia under our $100 billion infrastructure investment, supporting jobs and communities at a time when it's needed the most," Mr McCormack said.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
