The Newell Highway bypass of the Moree town centre is expected to remove 1600 heavy vehicles a day from the town's centre and improve safety and access.
The project was approved by the Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning in July 2004. Design of the northern rural section of the bypass is currently being built.
Key features
Key features of the Moree town centre bypass include:
Upgrading the Bullus Drive/Newell Highway intersection.
Providing a new route through east Moree between Gosport Street and the railway line and allowing Gosport Street to remain as a service road.
A new road bridge over the Mehi River.
Providing new road and major culverts east of the racecourse and new intersection at the northern end of the works.
Provision for pedestrians.
Entry statements at the north, south and Gwydir Highway town entry points.
Benefits
The Moree town centre bypass will provide important benefits for road users and the Moree community.
These benefits include:
Removing heavy vehicle through-traffic from the town centre.
Improving motorist and pedestrian safety.
Improving traffic flow in the town centre.
Improving the amenity of the town centre for shoppers, residents and workers.
Reducing heavy vehicle noise.
Providing an alternative crossing of the Mehi River.
A better project
As a result of community input to the Environmental Impact Statement, modifications have been made to the project.
These modifications include:
Providing improved access to the Spa Baths.
Addressing environmental and heritage elements.
Allowing the intersection with the Gwydir Highway to be designed to improve access and safety.
The approved route
The approved route is 4.4kilometres long and realigns the Newell Highway away from the town centre. It will pass between Gosport Street and the railway line, and will include a new bridge across the Mehi River.
From the new bridge, the bypass will continue to the east of the Moree Racecourse before connecting again with the existing Newell Highway north of Moree.
Back to top