Industry partners are being invited to submit registrations of interest for the design and construct tender for the first stage of the Barton Highway upgrade.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the first stage of the highway upgrade will duplicate the highway from the ACT border towards Murrumbateman.
"The Barton Highway is a critical link connecting communities on the Southern Tablelands in NSW and the ACT. This upgrade will significantly improve safety as well as journey reliability, ease congestion and boost freight productivity," Mr McCormack said.
"The Barton Highway upgrade demonstrates our commitment to building for the future. We're investing now so that the community can have confidence that they will have the infrastructure we need to support a growing economy."
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole called on industry to put forward innovative solutions that would maximise the length of road able to be duplicated under the program.
"We are encouraging industry to be innovative to achieve the greatest distance of duplicated highway and deliver value for money while ensuring a focus on safety," Mr Toole said.
"We also want to make sure that there are opportunities for the local workforce from communities along the length of the duplication to participate, to provide employment during tough drought times, so we'll be looking to partners that can provide that.
"The community has been waiting for this, industry has been waiting for this, so we're excited to be able to take the next step forward."
Senator for ACT Zed Seselja said the project requires upgrading the existing highway and building additional capacity from the NSW/ACT border towards Murrumbateman in NSW.
"A duplicated highway will provide significant road safety benefits and more reliable journeys for the growing number of road users between Canberra and the Yass Valley, contributing to regional growth and increased freight efficiency along this strategic link," Senator Seselja said.
"The registration of interest is the first stage of the contract procurement process for the work, with the request for tender currently planned for early 2020."
State Member for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman said the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) will be finalised in the coming months and planning is also continuing for the duplication of the remaining sections of the Barton Highway, which includes intersection upgrades at Gooda Creek Road and Vallencia Drive.
"Upcoming work also includes the delivery of $3.25 million investment in intelligent transport systems which will improve trip reliability and help better manage and reduce traffic incidents," Ms Tuckerman said.
"Permanent variable message signs, with fog detection systems, real travel time capabilities and closed circuit television monitoring will be installed at the northern and southern approaches of the Barton Highway."
