Stage one of the $257 million upgrade will be funded jointly by the state and federal governments, and businesses and suppliers are being invited to be a part of the work.

"This is an opportunity for local businesses in the Narrabri and Moree regions to be involved in what will be a major infrastructure project which will improve access and freight efficiency along the Newell and to the future Moree special activation precinct and Northern NSW Inland Port at Narrabri," Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said.

"The interactive forum will complement the registration of interest process already underway and facilitated via the infrastructure capability network which provided an opportunity for local and Indigenous contractors and suppliers to find out more about the project."

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The upgrade is set to cut travel times for all road users, and improve freight productivity, safety and flood immunity.

Parkes MP Mark Coulton said the federal government was contributing $205.7 million to this.

"[This] will ensure that the freight backbone of our state can meet the needs of motorists and freight vehicles, while providing opportunities for local and regional contractors to benefit from this project," Mr Coulton said.

"As well as building major new sections of road, the work will include five new overtaking lanes, intersection upgrades and installing multiple new large culverts to improve access along the road even after heavy and sustained rainfall."

Early work on the project started in June 2020, involving water main relocations at Bellata.

The tender for the main construction contract is expected to be called later this year with work set to start in early 2022.

The community will continue to be kept informed as the project progresses.

For more information on the project, visit nswroads.work/n2m

Businesses can register for project opportunities by visiting https://gateway.icn.org.au/project/4637/newell-highway-heavy-duty-pavements-narrabri-to-moree?st=projects&psid=1617136303&test_page=1

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