One lane of the new Bolivia Hill bridge is due to open to traffic this week.
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The northbound lane on the new 320-metre, concrete-balanced cantilever bridge is expected to open, removing a recognised 'black spot' on the highway.
"It's been a long project, and credit to the state and federal governments, they've committed to it," Tenterfield mayor Peter Petty said.
"We're all going to see a much better and safer highway, at the end of the day, we hope."
The project has taken longer than originally forecast due to unanticipated geotechnical conditions combined with drought and bushfire impacts.
Work began three years ago, in July 2018, and the $134 million upgrade of this 2.1 kilometre section was expected to be completed in late 2020.
The existing highway had a poor crash history due to narrow lanes and road shoulders, a rock face on one side and a steep rock valley on the other
The new 320-metre concrete balanced cantilever bridge will remove the recognised 'black spot' on the highway, so vehicles will no longer have to negotiate the dangerous curve.
New England MP Barnaby Joyce said the upgrade would help ensure 1500 motorists, including 500 heavy vehicles, return safely to their loved ones every day.
"It's been a challenging project through extremely steep terrain with the challenges of drought, bushfires and COVID-19 and I look forward to seeing the bridge fully open to traffic in the coming weeks," Mr Joyce said.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the project has also supported about 200 jobs, including 50 locals, and also engaged 10 local contracting firms.
The $134 million project is being jointly funded, with $98 million from the federal government and $36 million from the state government.
The second lane of the bridge is expected to open to traffic in the coming weeks, with traffic continuing to operate under the current single-lane, alternate-flow arrangements until then.
Meanwhile, Mr Petty said the bypass at Tenterfield was the next big road project he wanted to see work start on in the local area.
But despite the funding continuing there has been no indication when we will see work commence on the long awaited project, and Tenterfield Shire Council has indicated they have not been given an update on progress for almost two years.
The project includes 4.5 kilometres of new road, starting just north of the Tenterfield Creek Bridge on the southern edge of town, running west of the railway line and re-joining the existing New England Highway north of Tenterfield.
A spokesperson for Transport for NSW told the Tenterfield Star in June the department was finalising the concept design and Review of Environmental Factors.
