National highway route Sydney to Brisbane 1979

An 'inventory' type survey of the national highway route from Sydney to Brisbane has shown that some major construction projects are under way but a large percentage of the length of the route is currently unaffected by roadworks and is substandard. Major roadworks are being carried out on a substantial length south of Newcastle, but major substandard lengths just south of Newcastle and from Calga to ourimbah remain unaffected. A number of reconstruction projects are being carried out between Newcastle and singleton, but the next major project (on the moonbi ranges) is 230 km further north, followed by 60 km, 65 km and 150 km between projects. Little of the work north of Newcastle appears to involve the provision of dual carriageways, the desired standard for the entire length of the route. The crash and injury rates (per 100m.Veh.Km) have remained constant since 1976, but the fatality rate increased by 11 per cent. The general standard is similar in Queensland, although the lanes are narrower than 3.7M for a greater proportion of the length, and the general alignment is improved. No major roadworks which would improve the overall standard were noted in Queensland.