Road Photos & Information: New South Wales
Parry Street, Donald Street, Griffiths Road, Newcastle Road, Thomas Street, Newcastle Link Road, Hunter Expressway and New England Highway (M15 / A15)
Muswellbrook to Tamworth
Statistics:
- Length:
- 595 km (Muswellbrook to Tamworth: 156 km)
- Termini:
- Northern: New England Hwy (A15) at Wallangarra, at the Queensland Border
- Southern: Pacific Hwy (A43) at Newcastle West
- Miscellaneous:
- Continues as New England Hwy (A15) in Queensland
- Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:
- Aberdeen, Scone, Parkville, Wingen, Blandford, Murrurundi, Willow Tree, Wallabadah, and Tamworth
Route Numbering:
- Current: A15
- Multiplexed with: B56
- Former: 15 15
- Road Authority Internal Classification: 1
- HW9 (QLD border to Branxton)
General Information:
M15 / A15 is one the major routes in New South Wales and Queensland. It links the farming regions of NSW to the ports at Newcastle and also to other major roads to Sydney and it's also a link to Brisbane's metropolitan area.
The route consists of single carriageway 2-lane rural highway, through to multi-lane divided sections and motorway standard closer to Newcastle.
- B56, for 41 km, between Oxley Hwy (B56), Bendemeer and Murray St and Oxley Hwy (Marius St) (B56), Tamworth.
History:
The New England Highway originally formed part of the Great Northern Road from Sydney via Wiseman's Ferry to the Queensland border (near Mt Lindesay), taking shape as settlement spread northward from the lower Hunter Valley. By 1851 the Great Northern Road had reached the Gap, two miles beyond Murrurundi. In 1858 it was classified as one of three Main Roads in the colony (Great Western and Great Southern) and extended from Morpeth via Maitland, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Scone, Murrurundi and Tamworth, to Armidale, a distance of about 236 miles. Captain Martindale, Chief Railway Commissioner, who was also responsible for roads, stressed the need for bridges as in many cases long circuits had to be made to find a crossing over a stream. In 1860 arrangements were in progress for building 90 culverts and minor bridges and for forming new sections of road, including a new ascent to Murrurundi Gap, which was previously steep with sharp dangerous turns. In 1865 the section of road between Muswellbrook and Murrurundi was metalled and a deviation suggested between Blandford and Murrurundi to skirt the Page River, obviating two bridges, however, such a deviation was never constructed. With the construction of the Northern Railway line from Newcastle, commenced in the 1850s and reaching Murrurundi in 1872, attention was diverted away from roads and sections of the Great Northern Road were in poor condition. Despite the impact of the railway, roads developed steadily and considerable progress was made in the bridging of rivers and creeks. 2
- 1893: Construction of Fitzgerald Bridge over Hunter River at Aberdeen (now southbound carriageway). 2
- 1930s: Deviation to route over the Liverpool Range, upgrades to the Nundle Road intersection at Nemingha. 3
- March 1933: The Great Northern Road was proclaimed the New England Highway. 2
- 1953: The Blandford Bridge, built to replace an earlier timber bridge that was destroyed by flood. 2
- 1973: The DMR established a weighbridge at Kankool. 2
- 1986: Duplication of Fitzgerald Bridge over Hunter River at Aberdeen. 4
- 23 September 1993: Tamworth Inner City Bypass via Scott Road and Murray Street opened to traffic. 5
- 2004: Duplication of Blandford Bridge. 2
- 2014: Opening replacement Fitzgerald Bridge over Hunter River at Aberdeen. 6
- September 2014: Upgrade works commence about 4 km north of Willow Tree at Black Hill. The work included drainage improvements, shoulder widening, work to strengthen the road surface and raising the guard rail along a 1.75-kilometre section of the road just north of the Colly Creek Road intersection near Willow Tree. 7
- June 2016: Work starts on safety upgrades between Campbells Creek and Timor Road at Murrurundi. Work included widening and sealing the road shoulders, installing 790 metres of kerbside safety barrier and improvements to the shape of the curves. 8
- November 2016: Work commences on pavement improvements, line marking and safety barriers upgrades, plus installation of new signs at intersections in the Murrurundi area. 9
- 16 August 2017: Work commences on pavement improvements at Aberdeen. 10
- October 2017: Work commenced on road improvements at Parkville. Work included drainage and stabilisation upgrades, as well as road resurfacing, improvements to line marking, upgrades to safety barriers and installation of new signs at intersections. 11 Work started on pavement and draining improvements, about 4 kilometres east of Tamworth between Caltex depot and Bourkes Bridge. 12
- June 2018: Work commences on Scone Bypass. 13
- March 2020: Scone Bypass opened to traffic. 14
- September 2020: Work started on pavement and draining improvements, about 12 kilometres south of Tamworth between Meadows Lane and Kia Ora Lane. 15
Muswellbrook to Tamworth
Rouchel Road:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Rouchel Rd in Aberdeen, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Hunter River:
New England Hwy (A15) crossing Hunter River via Fitzgerald Br at Aberdeen, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Intersection Directional Sign:
ID sign at the junction with Blairmore Ln at Aberdeen, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Dartbrook Lane:
Corner New England Hwy (A15) and Dartbook Ln at Aberdeen, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign approaching Segenhoe Rd at Aberdeen, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Segenhoe Road:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Segenhoe Rd at Aberdeen, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Turanville Road:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Turanville Rd at Scone, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Gundy Road:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Gundy Rd at Scone, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Intersection Directional Sign:
Remnant ID sign from the former roundabout with Liverpool St in Scone, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign at Scone, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Wingen:
New England Hwy (A15) as it enters the village of Wingen, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Advance Directional Sign:
AD at Murulla approaching the Burning Mountain access road, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Burning Mountain Access Road:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and the Burning Mtn access road, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign at Goonoo Goonoo, September 2018.
Image © Dean Sherry
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign approaching the roundabout at the entrance to the Tamworth Livestock & Equine Centre in South Tamworth. October 2009.
Image © Paul Rands
Intersection Directional Sign:
ID sign at the roundabout located at the entrance to the Tamworth Livestock & Equine Centre in South Tamworth. October 2009.
Image © Paul Rands
Intersection Directional Sign:
ID sign at the roundabout with Goonoo Goonoo Road and Vera St in South Tamworth, September 2018.
Image © Dean Sherry
NEW Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on Oxley Hwy (Marius St) (B56), Tamworth, approaching New England Hwy (A15 / B56) and Murray St, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
NEW Reassurance Directional Sign:
Reassurance directional sign after the Oxley Hwy (Marius St) (B56), New England Hwy (A15 / B56) and Murray St roundabout at Tamworth, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Tamworth to Muswellbrook
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on New England Hwy (A15 / B56) approaching Oxley Hwy (B56) and Murray St in Tamworth, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Oxley Hwy & Murray St:
ID sign at the roundabout with Oxley Hwy (B65) and Murray St in Tamworth, April 2019. A15 turns left at this location.
Image © Paul Rands
AD Sign:
Advance directional sign approaching Peel St, Tamworth, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Intersection Directional Sign:
ID sign at the roundabout with Peel St in Tamworth, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Peel River:
New England Hwy (Scott Rd) (A15) as it crosses Peel River via George Fielder Bridge at Tamworth, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign at South Tamworth approaching Vera St and Goonoo Goonoo Rd (former New England Hwy), April 2019. A15 turns left at this intersection.
Image © Paul Rands
Intersection Directional Sign:
ID sign at the roundabout with Vera St and Goonoo Goonoo Rd in South Tamworth, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign at South Tamworth, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign approaching the Calala Ln roundabout at South Tamworth, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:
Supplemental AD sign at Sth Tamworth approaching Ringers Rd, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign at Sth Tamworth approaching Ringers Rd and Greg Norman Dr, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Ringers Road:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Ringers Rd, South Tamworth, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign at South Tamworth, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Greg Norman Drive:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Greg Norman Dr at South Tamworth, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Greg Norman Drive Approach:
Southbound as the New England Hwy approaches Greg Norman Dr in South Tamworth, October 2009.
Image © Paul Rands
Intersection Directional Sign:
ID sign at the roundabout located at the entrance to the Tamworth Livestock & Equine Centre in South Tamworth. October 2009.
Image © Paul Rands
Duri-Dungowan Road:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Duri-Dungowan Rd at Timbumburi, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Middlebrook Road:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Middlebrook Rd at Goonoo Goonoo, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Goonoo Goonoo Station:
New England Hwy (A15) at the entrance to Goonoo Goonoo Station at Goonoo Goonoo, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Garoo Road:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Garoo Rd at Garoo, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Gaspard Road:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Gaspard Rd at Wallabadah, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign at Wallabadah approaching Lindsays Gap Rd, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Lindsays Gap Road:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Lindsays Gap Rd at Wallabadah, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign at Wallabadah, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Entering Wallabadah:
New England Hwy (A15) as it enters the town of Wallabadah, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Wallabadah Creek Road:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Wallabadah Ck Rd at Wallabadah, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign at Wallabadah approaching Maria St, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Maria Street:
Corner of New England Hwy (A15) and Maria St in Wallabadah, April 2019.
Image © Paul Rands
Distance Sign:
Southbound RD signage after the Kamilaroi Hwy intersection in Willow Tree, August 2013.
Image © Peter Renshaw
Distance Sign:
Southbound RD sign as you leave the town of Willow Tree. September 2008.
Image © Michael Gill
2 NSW Government, Roads and Maritime Services.
3 National Library of Australia.
4 NSW Government, Roads & Traffic Authority, Historic Bridges of the Hunter Valley brochure, ISBN 0 7313 066 1.
5 Tyler Bullock.
6 George Souris MP, State Member For Upper Hunter, New Bridge Saves Five Hours On Trip From Newcastle To Toowoomba For Higher Mass Limit Vehicles, 30 June 2014.
7 George Souris MP, Media Release, New England Highway Improvement Work Under Way Near Black Hill, 3 September 2004.
8 Michael Johnsen MP, Media Release, Safety Improvements Start On New England Highway At Murrurundi, 9 June 2016.
9 NSW Government, Roads and Maritime Services, Media Releases, Start of work on the New England Highway, Murrurundi from Monday 28 November, November 2016.
10 Michael Johnsen MP, Media Release, Improvement Work Starts On New England Highway At Aberdeen, 16 August 2017.
11 Michael Johnsen MP, Media Release, New England Highway Upgrades Continue Next Month, 26 September 2017.
12 Kevin Anderson MP, Media Release, Shovels Ready For Work On New England Highway, 23 October 2017.
13 NSW Government, Roads and Maritime Services, New England Highway bypass of Scone Project Update - start of construction, August 2018.
14 NSW Government, Roads and Maritime Services,, New England Highway bypass of Scone, Project Update, April 2020.
15 NSW Government, Media Release, Safety improvements on the New England Highway south of Tamworth, September 2020.