The Australian Government is funding the planning process for the future duplication of the existing single carriageway sections of the Barton Highway from the ACT border to the dual carriageways north of Murrumbateman.
The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) has identified a corridor along which various studies and investigations will occur. This will assist the RTA in determining revised road boundaries for future duplication.
Benefits of planning for future duplication of the highway
Background
The Australian Government is planning to upgrade the entire length of the Barton Highway to a four lane divided carriageway. The RTA is managing this process.
The Barton Highway north of the ACT border carries over 10,000 vehicles per day. The route is a significant road freight link between the Hume Highway and the ACT and is experiencing growing volumes of commuter traffic.
The Murrumbateman Bypass is an integral part of this planning. In October 2001 the Australian Government announced the adoption of the outer eastern route for the bypass.
Upcoming planning activities
Investigations along the Barton Highway corridor will now include:
Flood studies.
Traffic surveys.
Preliminary geotechnical investigations.
Field surveys.
Inspections by project team members.
A preliminary environmental assessment will be prepared.
Many of these investigations require visits to private property. Activities on private property will only occur with the prior consent of the owners.
The corridor selected for investigation is approximately 200 metres wide. Final road boundaries for future duplication of the highway will be approximately 90 metres wide.
Preliminary environmental assessment
Work has started on a preliminary environmental assessment for the future duplication of the Barton highway.
Aurecon Australia Pty Ltd has been awarded a contract to carry out the assessment.
The preliminary environmental assessment will focus on the corridor under investigation for future duplication, including the bypass of Murrumbateman.
The assessment will examine biodiversity, Aboriginal heritage, non-Aboriginal heritage, soil and water, noise and vibration, economic and social and visual amenity.
The information gained from this assessment will be used to finalise the concept design and define the road boundaries within the corridor.
Key stakeholders including affected landowners will be consulted by Aurecon during the preliminary environmental assessment.
Property acquisition
Property acquisition is not expected to commence until completion of the environmental assessment of the route. This will occur closer to time of construction.
In certain circumstances the RTA may acquire property earlier under the hardship provisions of the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act or under the RTA’s preferred option Hardship Acquisition Policy. The RTA will consider a request for acquisition if a case for hardship can be demonstrated using the criteria specified under the Act.
Click here to view the fact sheet Your Property and RTA Projects.
The planning and decision making process
Involving the community
The RTA will work with Yass Valley Council, property owners, residents, farmers, road users and other stakeholders in this planning process to minimise impacts on the community. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Barton Highway safety review
This report describes the existing Barton Highway, the types of crashes that have been occurring and the key factors in these crashes. Works programs have been developed to reduce the severity and incidence of crashes, especially crashes that result in casualties.
The safety review was established to report on the following issues:
- Current and future roles, functions and demands on the route in terms of population, land use and transport.
- The overall safety performance of the route and surrounding network, including deficiencies in terms of safety.
- Deficiencies that need to be addressed to provide a measurable improvement in road safety.
- Engineering works and other road safety initiatives such as behavioural and enforcement programs needed to address the most significant road safety issues.
Click here to view the Barton Highway safety review February 2008
For further information
Barton Highway future duplication project manager
Ph: (02) 6938 1111
Fax: (02) 6938 1183
Email: Wagga_Wagga_Regional_Office@rta.nsw.gov.au
Barton Highway 
Back to top