Travel times will be reduced and safety improved along Boothenba Road in Dubbo, thanks to $6 million in funding from the NSW Government’s $170 million Drought Stimulus Package.
The NSW Government announced the Drought Stimulus Package as part of the 2019-20 NSW Budget to fast-track significant infrastructure projects to mitigate the economic impact of the current drought.
The Boothenba Road intersection outside Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets will be upgraded, alleviating stress to local motorists and drivers of heavy vehicles which transport hundreds of thousands of sheep and cattle to and from the markets every year.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro was joined today by Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders at the Boothenba road intersection outside Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets to announce the funding.
Mr Barilaro said funding will enable realignment and widening of the road, creation of dedicated turning and deceleration lanes, widening of the median islands and new signals at a level rail crossing intersecting Boothenba Road near the Newell Highway.
“Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets has an annual throughput of more than 1.3 million sheep and 200,000 cattle and with heavy vehicles becoming more frequent, there is limited space to queue creating safety hazards and disruptions for drivers,” Mr Barilaro said.
“These upgrades will create more room for cars and heavy vehicles to access the markets and move around the adjacent level rail crossing with minimal delays.