The sealing of Rangari Road has taken a significant step forward following the official finalisation and signing of the funding agreement for the $9 million project.
The project, which is being funded through the NSW Government’s Rural and Regional Roads Fund, will see the remaining 10 kilometres of unsealed road sealed for the first time.
Narrabri Shire Mayor Darrell Tiemens welcomed the finalisation and signing of the funding agreement in what is a vital upgrade for road safety and the community.
“The finalisation of the funding agreement represents a critical advancement for this significant upgrade.
“More than 250 vehicles use Rangari Road each day, including farmers, miners, businesses, tourists and locals, and it has long been identified as a safety priority.
“The completion of the sealing of Rangari Road will be a huge improvement in terms of safety, connectivity and access for our region,” Tiemens added.
“As highlighted when funding for Rangari Road was initially announced, Council had been pursuing this upgrade for nearly four years.
“This next significant step on the project is testament to the collaboration of Council, the business community and residents who worked together to make this upgrade possible.
“It is the result of the extremely hard work and advocacy of the communities and businesses of Boggabri and Baan Baa, all of whom are deserving of this upgrade,” Mayor Tiemens said.
“As someone who also travels Rangari Road frequently, there is no question that this upgrade needed to happen.
“The completed sealing of Rangari Road will not only be good for the Boggabri and Baan Baa communities, but everyone across the Shire who use the road.
“This road was never built for the amount of traffic that it now carries, and we now look forward to the completion of this vital project.”
Tiemens also thanked the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads and the local member for their role.
“I’d like to acknowledge and thank our local member Roy Butler, Transport for NSW and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison for their enormous support for this important road safety project.”
With the funding agreement now finalised, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said the project was another example of the NSW Government delivering for regional communities.
“The sealing of the remaining section of Rangari Road means delivering a road that is fit for purpose. Reducing dust, improving driving conditions and providing a more reliable connection for local communities and businesses, particularly during wet weather.
“The Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, has been a strong advocate for this project, and this progress is testament to his ongoing commitment to delivering better outcomes for the local community.
“With the funding agreement now finalised, this important project is another step closer to construction and the long-term benefits it will deliver for the Narrabri region.”
Council’s General Manager Eloise Chaplain said preparations for the Rangari Road sealing were progressing well.
“Works for the project have continued in the background while the funding agreement finalisation and signing process was underway,” Chaplain said.
“This includes the completion of the detailed design as well as advertising of the tender for tree removal as part of the upgrade.
“All these works in the background have ensured construction works will get underway in August, with the complete sealing of Rangari Road to be finished by October next year.”
In addition to the sealing works, the upgrade will include road widening, improved drainage, upgraded signage, new intersection and centre line markings, new guideposts and enhanced delineation throughout the route.
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