Expressway - The Australian Highway Site: Road Photos & Information: NSW: A39

Road Photos & Information: New South Wales

Newell Highway (A39)

Statistics:

Length:: 1059 km
Termini:: Northern: Cunningham Highway (A39), Boggabilla, at the NSW / QLD Border; Southern: Goulburn Valley Hwy (A39), Tocumwal, at the NSW / VIC Border
Miscellaneous:: Continues as Cunningham Highway (A39) in Queensland and as Goulburn Valley Highway (A39) in Victoria
Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:: Tocumwal, Finley, Jerilderie, Narrandera, Grong Grong, Ardlethan, West Wyalong, Wyalong, Forbes, Parkes, Peak Hill, Tomingley, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Tooraweenah, Coonabarabran, Narrabri, Edgeroi, Bellata, Gurley, Moree and Boggabilla

Route Numbering:

Current: A39
Multiplexed with: A20 B58 B64 B76 B94
Former: 39 39
Road Authority Internal Classification: ¹: HW17

General Information:

The Newell Highway is the longest highway in NSW, stretching from the Victorian border at Tocumwal to the Queensland border. it's the economic backbone for freight and livestock transporters, tourism operators, caravaners and holiday makers, emergency services, government, media and business owners. ² The majority of the route is undivided roadway, with various overtaking sections where required.

The Newell Highway is named after HH Newell. He was the first commissioner for Main Roads in New South Wales. He passed away in 1941. 3 Prior to his appointment to the newly formed Main Roads Board on March 9, 1925, he was the District Engineer at the Wollongong branch of the Department of Public Works. ⁴

Multiplexes along the route include:

: A20 (Sturt Hwy), for 700 m, at Gillenbah.; B58 (Riverina Hwy), for 150 m, at Finley.; B64 (Mid Western Hwy), for 37 km, between West Wyalong and Caragabal.; B76 (Gwydir Hwy), for 2 km, at Moree.; B94 (Burley Griffin Way), for 18 km, between Mirrool and Ardlethan.

History:

: 1930s: Aerial investigations carried out to establish the route of the Newell Hwy. ⁴; 1938: Route of Newell Highway proclaimed. The route chosen generally followed existing roads, but 2 sections between Narrandera and Wyalong, and also between Coonabarabran and Narrabri required fresh construction. ⁴; June 1946: Work commenced on a 69 mile section of highway between Coonabarabran and Narrabri. ⁴; 1949: Construction completed between Coonabarabran and Narrabri. ⁴; 1950s: Bituminous sealing completed between Finley and Narrandera, plus a deviation near Jerilderie to bypass 2 railway crossings and 2 deviations were constructed between Jerilderie and Narranderra to avoid flood prone areas. Bituminous sealing also occurred on improved alignments between Narrandera and Forbes, between Forbes and Dubbo and also north of Dubbo. ⁴; 1969: Work begins to complete bituminous sealing along highway length. ⁴; August 1973: Sealed surface completed along entire Newell Highway. The last section to be done was between Moree and Boggabilla. ⁴; 2005: Commencement of bypass works at Ardlethan and deviation at Gowang near Wallumburrawang Creek.; November 2009: Work begins on the construction of turn lanes and junction upgrades at Gawnes Road at Grong Grong, Murrell Creek Road at Ardlethan, Bartels Lane at Alleena and Storms Lane at Alleena. ⁵; 1 December 2009: Reduction of Newell Hwy speed limit from 110 km/h outside urban areas to 100 km/h. ⁶; April 2010: Trial begins of a new style of centre line markings. The trial areas were setup at 12 km north of Parkes and 15 km north of West Wyalong. Each trial section on the Newell Highway is about five kilometres long. ⁷; 13 December 2010: The new bridge over the Mehi River was officially opened to traffic. Following the opening of the bridge traffic was switched onto the northern section of the Moree town centre bypass via the Gwydir Highway connection. ⁸

Click or tap here for the former alignment of A39.

VIC Border to QLD Border

Wagga Wagga Road:

Intersection directional sign assembly at the junction with Wagga Wagga Rd at Ardlethan, November 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Carabagal approaching Mid Western Hwy (B64), January 2014. The B64 duplex ends at this location.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Forbes, January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign approaching Station St, Parkes, January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Parkes, January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign facing Tomingley-Narromine Rd at Tomingley, March 2011.

Image © Paul Rands

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Tomingley, January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Obley Rd, Dubbo, January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Macquarie Street:

Corner of Newell Hwy (A39) and Macquarie St, Dubbo, January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign in Dubbo on Darling St (former Newell Hwy alignment) approaching Newell Hwy (A39), August 2008.

Image © Richard Wardle

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Dubbo approaching Golden Hwy (B84), January 2014. A39 turns left at this junction.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Dubbo, January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Intersection Directional Sign:

Intersection directional sign facing Hargraves Ln in Gilgandra, November 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Brocklehurst approaching Mogriguy Rd and Burraway Rd, January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Gilgandra approaching Castlereagh Hwy (B55), January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Castlereagh Highway:

Corner of Newell Hwy (A39) and Castlereagh Hwy (B55) at Gilgandra, January 2014. A39 turns right and the B55 duplex begins at this location.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Castlereagh Highway:

Corner of Newell Hwy (A39) and Castlereagh Hwy (B55) at Gilgandra, January 2014. The B55 duplex ends at this location.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Gilgandra, January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching John Renshaw Pkwy (TD1) and Tooraweenah Rd at Tooraweenah, January 2014. Note the missing TD1 shield and incorrect road name patch for Tooraweenah Rd.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the junction with Hickeys Rd at Gowang, November 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the junction with Cenn Cruaich Rd at Gowang, November 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Wattle Springs approaching Mendooran Rd, January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Coonabarabran approaching Oxley Hwy (B56), January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Oxley Highway:

Corner of Newell Hwy (A39) and Oxley Hwy (B56) at Coonabarabran, January 2014. A39 turns left at this location.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching the unnumbered section of Kamilaroi Hwy at Narrabri, January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Narrabri, January 2014.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Distance Sign:

RD sign on the Moree Bypass (Newell Hwy (A39 / B76), January 2014. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from May 2011.

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign facing Gwydirfield Rd in Moree, May 2011.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Gwydir Hwy (B76) in Moree, January 2014. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from May 2011.

Carnarvon Highway:

Newell Hwy (A39 / B76) at the now Gwydir Hwy (B76) junction in Moree, May 2011. Sometime between 2011 and 2014, the Carnarvon Hwy extension was truncated and replaced by Gwydir Hwy.

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign facing Gwydir Hwy (B76) (former Carnarvon Hwy) in Moree, May 2011.

NEW Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign facing Gunsynd Way, Boggabilla, April 2025. Note the incorrect A32 route number.

QLD Border to VIC Border

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching the now Gwydir Hwy (B76) junction in Moree, May 2011. Sometime between 2011 and 2014, the Carnarvon Hwy extension was truncated and replaced by Gwydir Hwy.

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Peak Hill, January 2014.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Forbes approaching Camp St, January 2014.

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign in Narrabri approaching Kamilaroi Hwy (B51) roundabout, January 2014.

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Narrabri, January 2014.

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign assembly with Junee St in Grong Grong, May 2005.

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign assembly with Ganmain Rd in Grong Grong, May 2005.

Click or tap here for the continuation of M39 / A39 in Victoria
Click or tap here for the continuation of A39 in Queensland

¹ NSW Government, Transport for NSW, Schedule of Classified Roads And State and Regional Roads, July 2022.
² NSW Government, Roads and Traffic Authority, Road Projects, Western Region, Newell Highway.
³ NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, Main Roads of New South Wales brochure.
⁴ NSW Government, Department of Main Roads, The Roadmakers, A History of Main Roads in New South Wales, ISBN0 7240 0439 4.
⁵ Australian Government, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Media Release, Work Underway On Newell Highway Blackspots, 16 November 2009.
⁶ NSW Government, Roads & Traffic Authority, Rules & Regulations, Newell Highway Reduced Speed Limit.
⁷ NSW Government, Roads & Traffic Authority, NSW Centre for Road Safety, Downloads, Newell Highway centreline marking trial display.
⁸ NSW Government, Roads & Traffic Authority, Projects, Western Region, Moree Town Centre Bypass.