FJA™ selected for Coonabarabran and Narrabri – Newell Highway Works

FJA™, in collaboration with Arup, delivered the Newell Highway, which is also known as the Pilliga Widenging project. The project includes the widening of Newell Highway between Coonabarabran and Narrabri through the Pilliga. The Newell Highway is the longest highway in NSW and is a crucial transport corridor between VIC, NSW and QLD. It is a major interstate freight corridor between Melbourne and Brisbane providing freight access between key regional primary industries. Specifically, the road between Coonabarabran and Narrabri consists of a narrow formation for an extended distance with steep, high embankment without sufficient barrier protection. This contributes to increased risk and safety concerns for road users due to head on collisions on this high speed two lane road carrying heavy freight, recreational and regular traffic.

For this reason, the Pilliga Widening project objectives are to improve road safety and improve efficiency for all customers by providing a safer and wider road that includes a 1 meter wide centerline and flatter slopes on embankments.

FJA™ was engaged to undertake Concept Design for the project.

The stage of concept design commenced in August 2021 and will take roughly 29 months to complete.