A workshop involving community members and technical experts congregated recently and recommended the ‘orange’ option be adopted.

Nearly 30 participants partook in the value management workshop and assessed the performance of the four shortlisted routes.

The clear winner was the orange option which was agreed performed best against social, environmental, engineering and value for money criteria.

This option starts north of Tenterfield Creek Bridge and reconnects to the highway at Cowper St.

“The New England Highway is a major interstate freight route between Newcastle and Queensland and provides an alternative route to the Pacific Highway but it passes through Tenterfield’s central business district, causing traffic and safety issues,” an RMS spokesperson said.

Ten community and local representatives attended the workshop, including two elected representatives from the recent community briefing, two representatives from council and members of the Local Aboriginal Land Council, business chamber, the historical society and National Parks and Wildlife.

"The option is also close to local tourist attractions such as the museum."

Tenterfield mayor Peter Petty said local business concerns had always been there, but council would work through those issues with the business owners.

“This is the most sympathetic route for them and will attract the traffic that we want,” Cr Petty said.

“I can see a change in community opinion to it in the six years I’ve been on it.

“Council supports the orange route and it ticks all the boxes just about, and that’s where we want to be,” he said.

The yellow option was assessed as the worst performing against the project criteria. The blue and purple options were excluded due to cost and the impact on the Currys Gap Conservation area.

“Roads and Maritime will use outcomes of the value management workshop as well as wider community comment received during the feedback period and the results of technical investigations to identify a preferred option,” the spokesperson said.

It is expected a preferred option will officially be confirmed later this year by NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay.

Roads and Maritime will then request Council to preserve the road corridor in its local environmental plan.

Cr Petty said once the route was confirmed and announced, the next step would be to get it funded.

“In my opinion, some funding or a promise will be announced with the next federal election, but I hope they announce it before that,” he said.