26 May 2014

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor and Member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson today announced the appointment of Cardno as the consultant to undertake the Barton Highway Improvement Strategy.

Mr Taylor said Cardno had won the contract to work with the Governmental Steering Committee to develop a staged plan for the highway and build on previous work, which had already identified a corridor for duplication to a four-lane road.

"The Australian and NSW Governments have each committed $150,000 for this master plan. This will be the long awaited document to spell out how we can deliver a staged duplication of the Barton Highway.

“In the short-term, the steering committee is considering the potential for additional safety works including intersection upgrades, road shoulder widening and opportunities for overtaking lanes," Mr Taylor said.

Ms Hodgkinson said the Governmental Steering Committee included representatives from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Transport for NSW, Roads and Maritime Services, Yass Valley Council and the ACT Government.

“The role of the committee includes reviewing the progress of the strategy in accordance with the terms of reference and providing guidance to the project team.”

Ms Hodgkinson said this was another clear signal that the Federal and NSW Coalition Governments were working together to deliver vital infrastructure for the Yass and Canberra areas.

“Now that all levels of government and the community are focused on finding a solution, we need to work towards a staged, fully costed master plan,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

Mr Taylor said community members would be consulted during the development of the strategy and further details would soon be available on how the community could be actively involved in the process.