THE transformation of a key logging truck route in the Upper Murray is complete and has been officially opened.
NSW Roads Minister Paul Toole was present for the official opening of the $7.6 million Coppabella Road upgrade which took place on the bridge rebuilt as part of the project.
The biggest beneficiary of the 7.7 kilometres of reconstructed road will be the softwoods industry in the Holbrook-Jingellic area.
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It was hard hit by the 2019-20 summer bushfires when when close to 40 per cent of the plantations across a 45,000 hectare area was destroyed.
Member for Albury Justin Clancy said the upgrades would help the timber industry in the region rebuild.
"Obviously it's been a really challenging time for this community with the bushfires," he said.
"This is a part of the rebuilding process and you can see there are significant levels of new plantings going in."
Hume Forests general manager Jake Lazarus said the upgrades were a successful partnership involving state and local governments and the private sector.
"The industry worked really closely with council," he said.
"We moved all of our harvesting operations away from this area so that the road was effectively shut which meant they were able to get in and get on with the job."
Greater Hume mayor Heather Wilton said the region's economy would be enhanced by the upgrades.
"This is extremely significant, this is a road that we've been wanting to do for many, many years," she said.
"We're very pleased from a safety point of view for the truckies who come past here everyday, the people who live here in the area and tourists."
Mr Toole said the roadworks were extensive with the road widened and new culverts being installed.
The upgraded area is between Short Cut Road and Maginnitys Gap Road.
