The government of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia has revealed that construction works have begun on a new eastbound overtaking lane on the Oxley Highway between Gunnedah and Tamworth.

The government has provided A$60m ($45.5m) to improve safety and reduce travel times on the Oxley Highway based on recommendations in the route safety review and draft corridor strategy.

The Government has decided to go ahead with the construction of the overtaking lane after it received numerous requests from the local road users for creating more overtaking opportunities along this popular highway.

"This is the second project being delivered under the NSW Government’s A$50m ($37.9m) programme to develop and implement recommendations from the Oxley Highway Corridor Strategy."

The new 1.3km overtaking lane will be built around 24km east of Gunnedah.

Member for Tamworth Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads Kevin Anderson said: “This is the second project being delivered under the NSW Government’s A$50m ($37.9m) programme to develop and implement recommendations from the Oxley Highway Corridor Strategy.

“The first project, an extension of the westbound overtaking lane 29km east of Gunnedah, near Rushes Creek Road, is almost complete.

“Other projects completed include providing new guardrail west of Gunnedah and road widening and intersection improvements at four locations west of Tamworth.”

Anderson further explained that the said several road safety projects will be delivered as part of a four year programme, which would be beneficial for the road users including tourists and heavy vehicle operators who use the road regularly.

Anderson added: “The A$60m ($45.5m) in total funding is evidence of the NSW Government’s commitment to improve this important road, which stretches 514km linking Port Macquarie in the east to the inland centres of Tamworth, Gunnedah, Coonabarabran, Gilgandra and Warren.”

The construction work on the eastbound overtaking lane is expected to be completed in about two months time period.