The new overtaking lanes were designed to improve safety, boost freight productivity and reduce travel times by about 33 minutes between the Victorian and Queensland borders.

The Federal government has contributed $60 million to build new overtaking lanes and the NSW government has contributed $168 million.

Federal Riverina MP Michael McCormack said the latest two Newell Highway overtaking lanes now open at Firetail, about six kilometres north of Grong Grong, would deliver big benefits for all motorists and local businesses.

"Another aspect of this highway upgrade we're proud of is the tree replanting work that is being done," Mr McCormack said,

"About 10,000 Grey Box trees have been replanted around the project site and surrounding Grong Grong area, to replace trees removed to make way for the new lanes - that's 10 trees for every one mature tree that's removed."

NSW Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke said initial work had begun to establish the site at Back Creek.

"This will include installing erosion and sediment controls, removing vegetation from the site and establishing the overtaking lanes work zone," Ms Cooke said.

"In Cootamundra, as well as the recently completed lanes at Firetail there are currently six lanes in construction at Alleena, Landervale and Back Creek."

"That's about eight kilometres of overtaking lanes, with both north and south bound lanes at each location taking the total to about 16 kilometres of overtaking lanes."

The remainder of the project is expected to take about nine months to complete, weather permitting.

Safety work at Redbank, about 26 kilometres south of Coonabarbran, including installing a widened centre line and shoulder widening, is also due for completion in mid-November.

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