Work is being completed on 25 bridges in Tenterfield to allow for higher mass limit vehicles in a boost to freight productivity across the region.
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The federal government is committing $600,000 on top of the state government's $3.18 million package to upgrade and extend of the serviceable lives of these bridges.
"Upgrades to these Tenterfield bridges will reduce the impact on freight access throughout the region between now and when the bridges can be progressively replaced to support the continued growth of the freight task across the state," NSW Roads Minister Paul Toole said.
"Projects like these might sound small in scale, but they are an absolute game-changer for freight operators who rely on them to get from A to B as quickly and as safely as possible."
Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said the freight industry is an essential component of Australia's economy.
"Freight operators undertake important activities that help to feed families and communities, keep businesses functioning, and underpin a strong economy," Mr Joyce, who is also the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, said.
"Ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods across the country is in the interest of every Australian, which is why the Australian Government is backing these much-needed infrastructure upgrades."
Bridges upgraded include three structures on Billirimba Road; two structures on Mount Clunie Road; two structures on Beaury Creek Road; and structures on Black Swamp Road, Hootons Road, White Swamp Road, Castlerag Road, Sunnyside Loop Road, Leeches Gully Road, Back Creek Road, Gould Falls Road, Silent Grove Road, Mount Speribo Road, Cullens Creek Road, Boorook Road, Springfield Road, Cheviot Hills Road, Lower Rocky River Road, Urbenville Road, Wallaroo Range Road, Mole River Road and Barlows Gate Road.
The upgrades have been funded through the NSW Government's Fixing Country Roads program and included $600,000 from the federal government's Drought Communities Program Extension and a further $245,000 from Tenterfield Shire Council.
Under the Interim Bridge Solutions project, some preliminary investigations were also carried out on structures on Paddy's Flat, Torrington, and Leeches Gully Roads.
Additional funding has been provided through the NSW Government's Fixing Country Bridges program, Australian Government Bridges Renewal Program and Council funding, for the replacement of three bridges on Paddy's Flat Road and one bridge each on Leeches Gully Road, Torrington Road and Graham's Creek Road with new concrete structures.
These projects are due for completion in 2022, weather permitting.
