Upgrades to Yetman Road and construction of the new Barry Johnston OAM Bridge, to allow for road train access north of Inverell, have been completed thanks to $3.69 million of State Government funding,
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall inspected the completed works with Inverell Shire Mayor Paul Harmon and said the route was an important freight links between Inverell and Queensland.
“The upgrades look terrific and I have no doubt will be well utilised by Inverell Shire’s largest agricultural holdings, feed-lot operators and the freight industry,” Mr Marshall said.
“Yetman Road has been approved as an A-double road train route which means agricultural operators will now be able to shift large amounts of product without the need for multiple trucks.
“The 12-kilometre stretch of Yetman Road, just north of Inverell, has been widened and resurfaced as well as upgrades to bridges over Rob Roy Creek, Jessies Gully and Hunts Gully.”
Mr Marshall said the new bridge constructed over Rob Roy Creek had been named after the late Barry Johnston OAM, a long-serving and much-respected former Mayor and President of Inverell and Ashford Shire Councils.
“Barry was a giant of local government and will always be ‘Mr Inverell’, such was his passion and commitment for his community,” Mr Marshall said.
“I am so pleased he is being honoured in this way by Inverell Shire Council.
“A small naming ceremony will be held on the Barry Johnston OAM Bridge on Wednesday, with Councillors and Mr Johnston’s family present.”
Inverell Shire Mayor Paul Harmon said the upgrades would enhance safety and improve traffic movement.
“The recently completed upgrade of the Yetman Road freight corridor will provide a major boost to the safety of this road,” Cr Harmon said.
“The widening and resurface works will assist both heavy freight operators using this increasingly important road and residential traffic movements.
“The unstinting support for the upgrade of this corridor by the local member, Mr Marshall, was critical to the efforts to secure funding for this project.