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Statistics:

• Length: 1059 km (Former Alignment: 2 km)
• Northern Terminus: Gwydir Hwy (B76) at Moree
• Southern Terminus: Newell Hwy (A39) near Amaroo Dr at Moree
• Roads That Form The Route: Frome St and Alice St
• Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along The Route: Moree

Route Numbering:

• Current: None
• Former: A39
• Multiplexes: B76
• Road Authority Internal Classification: None

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. 1

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. 2 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. 3

During construction of the Moree Bypass, a number of environmental concerns had to be overcome before the section between Alice St (Gwydir Hwy) and Amaroo Dr could be completed. The bypass route ran north-south through former fuel storage facilities and the clean up of the location meant that only the northern section of the bypass (Gwydir Hwy to Carnavon Hwy (now Gwydir Hwy)) initially opened to traffic, with the southern section following the existing highway.

Multiplexes along the route include:

• B76, for 450 m at Moree

History:

• 1930s: Aerial investigations carried out to establish the route of the Newell Hwy. 3
• 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. 3
• 1969: Work begins to complete bitumous sealing along highway length. 3
• August 1973: Sealed surface completed along entire Newell Highway. The last section to be done was between Moree and Boggabilla. 3
• 1 December 2009: Reduction of Newell Hwy speed limit from 110 km/h outside urban areas to 100 km/h. 4
• 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. 5

This page concentrates on photos of the former A39 alignment through Moree.

Northbound			Southbound
Preview:	Description:		Preview:	Description:
	Advance Directional Sign: Advance directional sign on Frome St, Moree, approaching the turn for the former A39 alignment onto Alice St, January 2014. Click here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from May 2011. Image © Michael Greenslade			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign in Moree approaching Gwydir Hwy (B76), May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign with alphanumeric route number at the roundabout with Newell Hwy (A39), Alice St and Gwydir Hwy (B76) in Moree, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Gwydir Highway: Newell Hwy (A39) at the Gwydir Hwy (B76) junction in Moree, May 2011. The second stage of Moree Bypass will be built behind the bollards. A39 turns right at this junction and the B76 duplex starts here. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Alice St Moree, approaching Gwydir Hwy (B76) and the northern segment of Moree Bypass, January 2014. Click here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from May 2011. A39 turns left at this junction, and the B76 duplex also ends at this intersection. Image © Michael Greenslade			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Alice St approaching Frome St in Moree, January 2014. Image © Michael Greenslade
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at the Gwydir Hwy (B76) junction in Moree, May 2011. NH39 turns left at this junction, and the NR38 duplex also ends at this intersection. Image © Rob Tilley			Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign with alphanumeric route number at the roundabout with Newell Hwy (A39), Alice St and Gwydir Hwy (B76) in Moree, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at the Gwydir Hwy (B76) junction in Moree, May 2011. A39 turns left at this junction, and the B76 duplex also ends at this intersection. Image © Rob Tilley

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

Last updated: 09-Sep-2020 0:46

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