The state government is sinking $2.9 million into a section of the Mitchell Highway west of Trangie where seven lives have been lost in the past eight years.
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State Member for Dubbo Troy Grant said the project under the Safer Roads Program focused on 14 kilometres of the highway known for run-off-road crashes.
Widening of the road and clearing of vegetation to provide improved sight lines has already been completed.
The installation of 2.4 kilometres of wire rope barrier along the edges of the road in three strategic locations was scheduled to begin this week.
“This section of road has been the location of six crashes in the past eight years, resulting in seven fatalities,” Mr Grant said.
“All fatal crashes have involved vehicles leaving the road and hitting trees, with fatigue identified as the main factor.”
Orana Mid-Western Police District Inspector Dan Skelly said that police strongly support the upgrades to the Mitchell Highway that will make our roads safer, especially important to country roads that have seen high numbers run-off-road crashes.
“Whilst those upgrades are going on I would ask drivers to be patient, understand that the road is being upgraded and made safer for their use, and during the upgrade process be patient and slow down when signs indicate to slow down,” he said.
The installation of the wire rope is expected to be completed by the end of June.
Most of the work is being carried out between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and between 7am and 4pm on Saturdays.
