Following investment from the Federal and NSW Governments, the north-west region’s largest heavy vehicle rest area is now open, marking the completion of a three-year highway upgrade project.
The opening marks the completion of a three-year project to upgrade the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree, with all sections of the highway now open to traffic.
The jointly funded Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrade was made possible with a $205.73 million investment by the Federal Government and a $55.44 million NSW Government contribution.
The project spanned more than 20 km along this important regional freight route. The upgrades have included intersection improvements, widened road shoulders and five new overtaking lanes, creating a safer and more efficient journey for all drivers.
These upgrades have been delivered across four priority sections:
- 8 km of pavement upgrades south of Moree as well as a new culvert at Clarks Gully to improve drainage, and upgrades to the Burrington Road, Tapscott Road and Wallanol Road intersections which were completed in December 2024
- 4.4 km of pavement upgrades around Bellata, plus upgrades to Temi Road, North Street, Wilga Street and Oak Street intersections, completed in February 2025
- 5.6 km of pavement upgrades around Edgeroi as well as upgrades to the Smithfield Lane Intersection, completed in June 2025
- 2.6 km of pavement upgrades north of Narrabri in addition to a new culvert at the Murrumbilla Lane Intersection, completed in August 2025
The pavement upgrades have involved stripping the road back to base level before repairing, reconstructing and resurfacing the road in order to make it smoother, safer and more resilient.
The final completed element of the over $261.17 million project is the massive Spring Creek Rest Area. The new rest area provides short and long-term heavy vehicle parking for up to 18 vehicles, as well as separate parking for light vehicles and light vehicles with caravans or trailers in tow.
The area also provides access to amenities including two flushable toilets with disabled access, picnic shelters and bins.
The whole area is illuminated at night with solar lighting to increase safety and more than 500 trees have been planted in the vicinity of the rest area to provide shade.
Crews working on the upgrades between Narrabri and Moree have used 3,900 cubic metres of structural concrete, 8,900 tonnes of asphalt, 700 tonnes of structural steel and 575,000 tonnes of pavement material and gravel, and moved 100,400 cubic metres of earth.
Despite losing 118 days of work during the three-year project due to bad weather, the project has remained on track throughout.
While major construction work has been completed, some minor work remains including fencing and installation of guard rail and signage, as well as applying the final seal to the upgraded areas in early 2026.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said that this section of the Newell Highway is an essential freight corridor and the Federal Government’s $205 million investment will make the journey safer for truck drivers, locals and people passing through on long road trips.
“Thank you to all road users for their patience as this massive project was undertaken and also to the 970 workers involved in completing the upgrades,” King said.
“The new Spring Creek Rest Area will help truckies to better manage their fatigue and avoid incidents on the road, ultimately saving lives.”
NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said that this Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrade project completion is an incredible achievement and a credit to our Transport for NSW team, lead contractor Fulton Hogan and the residents and commuters of the area who showed great patience throughout the past three years.
“The jointly funded program has reached this milestone despite crews needing to battle extreme weather, floods and bushfires,” Aitchison said.
“A highlight of the Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrade program has been a focus on employing local staff, providing not only a significant boost to local infrastructure but also a massive injection to the local economy.
“The NSW Government values the safe, sustainable and productive movement of freight throughout the vastness of the state and acknowledges the difficulties heavy vehicle drivers face when finding a safe and reliable area to rest, park, and access services.”
For more information, visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/newell-hwy-upgrade-narrabri-moree-pavement-upgrade.
