The $1.52 million upgrade to the notorious ‘Devil’s Elbow’ hairpin bend on Grabben Gullen Road is now complete, making the road a safer, more efficient route for heavy vehicles, such as 25-metre B-doubles.

The road’s alignment and its steep descent made it unsafe for freight vehicles, school buses and general commuter traffic to share this section of the road.

The upgrade was jointly funded with $460,046 from the Federal Government, which included $266,546 from Round 5 of the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme and $193,500 from the Black Spot Project Programme. A further $540,000 was funded under the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads Programme, with the remaining $519,954 funded by Upper Lachlan Shire Council.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said the upgrade will open up the region’s freight access and improve road safety.

“The Shire’s producers and livestock carriers will especially see the benefits because they can now use this road for improved access to the South Eastern Livestock Exchange in Yass,” Mr Taylor said.

“Straightening this hairpin bend means a safer journey and vehicles with larger loads making fewer trips.”

Member for Goulburn Pru Goward said the NSW Government is proud to have supported the project through the Restart NSW Fixing Country Roads Programme.

“Freight is worth $60 billion to the NSW economy, so building, improving and maintaining efficient freight transport networks through our region is crucial,” Ms Goward said.

“We are dedicated to boosting local industries through targeted investments into key road and bridge upgrades, such as the Devil’s Elbow Corner.”

Upper Lachlan Shire Council Mayor John Stafford thanked the Federal and NSW Governments for their funding contributions.

“Upper Lachlan Shire Council had been seeking funding to fix ‘Devil’s Elbow’ for several years,” Cr Stafford said.

“It is wonderful that the Federal and State Governments have been able to assist us in making the stretch of road safer for all road users, including heavy vehicles.

“I would also like to thank Council staff for their skilled work in bringing this project to fruition in trying conditions.”