A record $102.4 million of capital expenditure for the Northern Tablelands electorate, including the first funding allocation for the redevelopment of Armidale Rural Referral Hospital and $1.3 million to upgrade the Guyra to Ebor Road have been included in the state budget.
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The money for the Guyra-Ebor Rd fulfils a promise made prior to the 2013 by-election and will be used to complete the final 3.8 kilometre stretch of roadworks.
Close to three quarters ($74.1 million) of the funding will be spent on upgrades to roads and bridges across the Northern Tablelands, an increase of $22 million from last year’s budget.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said he particularly pleased to see the first allocation of funds ($1 million) which kick off the redevelopment of Armidale Rural Referral Hospital later this financial year.
“This is another incredibly exciting step for the Armidale community, which can now be assured of seeing tangible progress this financial year.
“The remainder of the $60 million funding commitment will be allocated in subsequent budgets, when the bulk of construction activity will occur.
Mr Marshall said he was delighted with the huge expenditure on many important road and bridge projects right across the electorate, which councils and their communities were looking forward to.
Funding of more than $74 million will be spent on major projects and upgrades on the Newell, Gwydir and New England Highways, including bridge upgrades along Fossickers Way and Thunderbolts Way, and funding to construct a new roundabout near Armidale Regional Airport.
“The scope of works to be undertaken across Northern Tablelands roads and bridges is unprecedented and will be welcomed by the community and longstanding problem areas start to be addressed,” Mr Marshall said.
“There is also $14.2 million allocated to routine maintenance and upgrade of our regional roads and $10.3 million for our local councils to undertake improvements works on their local roads.