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Newell Highway (National Highway 39) - Coonabarabran to Moree - Historic Photos (Decommissioned)

Statistics:

• Length: 1059 km (Coonabarabran to Moree: 219 km)
• Northern Terminus: Queensland Border at Boggabilla
• Southern Terminus: Victorian Border at Tocumwal
• Miscellaneous: Continues as Cunningham Highway (NH39) in Queensland and as Goulburn Valley Highway (A39) in Victoria
• Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along The Route: Dandry, Pillaga, Bohena Creek, Narrabri, Edgeroi, Bellata and Gurley

Route Numbering:

• Former:
• Multiplexes:
• Road Authority Internal Classification: HW17 1
• Decommissioned: 2013

General Information:

The Newell Highway is the longest highway in NSW, stretching from the Victorian border at Tocumwal to the Queensland border. It's the economic backbone for freight and livestock transporters, tourism operators, caravanners and holiday makers, emergency services, government, media and business owners. 2

The majority of the route is undivided roadway, with various overtaking sections where required.

The Newell Highway is named after HH Newell. He was the first commissioner for Main Roads in New South Wales. He passed away in 1941. 3 Prior to his appointment to the newly formed Main Roads Board on March 9, 1925, he was the District Engineer at the Wollongong branch of the Department of Public Works. 4

Multiplexes along the route include:

• National Route 37 (Kamilaroi Hwy), for 5 km at Narrabri
• National Route 38 (Gwydir Hwy), for 450 metres at Moree

History:

• 1930s: Aerial investigations carried out to establish the route of the Newell Hwy. 4
• 1938: Route of Newell Highway proclaimed. The route chosen generally followed exisitng roads, but 2 sections between Narrandera and Wyalong, and also between Coonabarabran and Narrabri required fresh construction. 4
• June 1946: Work commenced on a 69 mile section of highway between Coonabarabran and Narrabri. 4
• 1949: Construction completed between Coonabarabran and Narrabri. 4
• 1969: Work begins to complete bitumous sealing along highway length. 4
• August 1973: Sealed surface completed along entire Newell Highway. The last section to be done was between Moree and Boggabilla. 4
• 1 December 2009: Reduction of Newell Hwy speed limit from 110 km/h outside urban areas to 100 km/h. 5
• 13 December 2010: The new bridge over the Mehi River was officially opened to traffic. Following the opening of the bridge traffic was switched onto the northern section of the Moree town centre bypass via the Gwydir Highway connection. 6

This page concentrates on historical photos of the route between Coonabarabran and Moree.

Preview:	Description:
	Bohena Creek: Photo from the late 1960s of the bridge over Bohena Ck in the town of Bohena Creek. Image © Department of Main Roads. Scanned from the All About Bridges brochure

1 Roads and Traffic Authority, Schedule of Classified Roads and State & Regional Roads, 31 January 2011
2 Roads and Traffic Authority, Road Projects, Western Region, Newell Highway
3 Department of Main Roads, Main Roads of New South Wales brochure
4 Department of Main Roads, The Roadmakers, A History of Main Roads in New South Wales, ISBN0 7240 0439 4
5 Roads & Traffic Authority, Rules & Regulations, Newell Highway Reduced Speed Limit
6 Roads & Traffic Authority, Projects, Western Region, Moree Town Centre Bypass

Last updated: 17-Dec-2019 0:55

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