RESIDENTS are now invited to have their say on the Review of Environment Factors (REF) for the Bolivia Hill upgrade project on the New England Highway.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the proposed upgrade will include improvements to the road to allow the speed limit to be increased to 100km/h.

“The preferred route announced in February last year aims to reduce the risk of crashes by reducing curves, providing wider road shoulders and increasing driver visibility,” Mr Truss said.

Minister for Agriculture and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said the existing road alignment will be used where possible and construction of a new bridge will improve the highway’s alignment.

“The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) assesses the potential environmental and social impacts of the proposed upgrade and outlines the benefits of the project,” Mr Joyce said.

“It is now publicly available so residents can see the details of the preferred route and an outline of its reduced impact on the environment and community. For instance, the design concept for the bridge minimises the number of piers and foundations required in the steepest part of the valley so there is less impact on surrounding bush land.

Residents can now view the REF and community feedback is invited until Monday 26 October. The REF will be available online on the RMS website and at a number of venues in Tenterfield and Glen Innes.

Information sessions will also be held in Tenterfield on Thursday 15 October from 3pm to 7pm at the Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts. A second session will be held in Glen Innes on Friday 16 October from 11am to 1pm at the Glen Innes Severn Learning Centre.

The upgrade of the New England Highway at Bolivia Hill is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.

For more information on the New England Highway upgrade at Bolivia Hill visit

www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/northern-nsw/bolivia-hill-new-england-highway