Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the $5 million project will keep the Oxley Highway open for longer during flood periods and was being delivered under a $50 million program to improve safety along the Oxley Highway.

“This section of the Oxley Highway is a vital link between Gunnedah and Tamworth with up to 4000 motorists using it every day,” he said.

“This project will involve raising the road level and installing new drainage, which means the highway can remain open for longer during floods, allowing freight and workers to get through during very wet times.”

READ MORE: Hoss Causeway to be updated

Mr Anderson said as part of the project, levee work was also being carried out west of Gunnembene Lane and the road level of Gunnembene Lane was being raised.

“The flood improvement work at Tommy Swamp, west of Carroll, started in May and is almost complete,” he said.

“In the past 12 months, a number of projects have been completed on this section of the Oxley Highway including a new eastbound overtaking lane and the extension of a westbound overtaking lane.”

The Hoss Causeway project will take four months to complete and a side road is being built for Oxley Highway traffic while the work is being carried out.

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