Federal Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Roads Minister Michael Daley today announced another milestone on the Hume Highway, with the opening of the Olympic Highway interchange.

Mr Albanese said the Olympic Highway interchange, north of Albury, was a vital part of a the Hume Highway duplication project.

“All up, the Rudd Labor Government is investing a record $950 million in the full duplication of the Hume Highway through our Nation Building Program,” Mr Albanese said.

“We are committed to supporting jobs in regional New South Wales today by building the road and rail infrastructure that we need for the future.

This project will improve safety at this major intersection by removing the need for cars and trucks to turn across high speed, oncoming Hume Highway traffic.

“As part of the project, five kilometres of new road has been built for southbound traffic from south of the Olympic Highway interchange to Table Top.

“This new road duplicates the existing highway and connects with the existing road between Table Top and Albury.”

Mr Daley said this work is part of the duplication of 67 kilometres of the Hume Highway between the Sturt Highway and Table Top.

“The entire Hume Highway duplication project is also supporting more than 2100 jobs in communities along the highway, which is great news especially in these tough economic times.

“When complete, this upgrade will deliver improved conditions for Hume Highway traffic including the road freight industry and local motorists,” he said.

“Motorists are now travelling on a four lane divided highway, separating northbound and southbound traffic, between Victoria and the Olympic Highway Interchange.

“In more good news for local motorists, another part of the Hume Highway Duplication, the $179 million Coolac Bypass will also be completed soon,” Mr Daley said.