Mr Gee said the funding injection would not only increase road safety but also boosted local employment.

"This is a joint Australian - New South Wales Government project and it has been a great partnership between all levels of government, including the Council," Mr Gee said.

"The funding injection of $1,363,500 from the Federal and NSW Government, under the Fixing Local Roads Program which was turbocharged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to keep people and jobs and local businesses supported.

"Several kilometres of new road surface have been installed and there has also been a significant amount of patching of other sections. Once the line marking is done, the project will be complete.

"The road is now much safer, which is great news for local residents, farmers and visitors.

"Further, spending money on local infrastructure like roads and bridges is a great way to stimulate the economy in a way that delivers lasting benefits.

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"Lithgow City Council has done an excellent job in delivering this project."

Some of the work within the project scope includes roadside vegetation control; reconstruction of the road subbase, base course and surface; ripping the current road surface; adding new road base material; grading; compaction rolling; and adding moisture to achieve the necessary compaction.

Mr Gee said that he was very proud the Australian and NSW Governments have been able to fund the upgrade of this key piece of local infrastructure.

"The total investment on a range of shovel ready projects is in the vicinity of $380 million in joint funding and is estimated to result in 3,500 jobs in regional NSW," Mr Gee said.

"That partnership opens up valuable job opportunities in our region and has direct economic flow on effects to other businesses and the community as a whole."

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