Driving along Grain Valley Road is now a whole lot safer thanks to upgrades along the 17.7 kilometre stretch of road.

The NSW Government contributed $3.85 million towards the $8.2 million project with significant funding also coming from the Commonwealth Government and Gunnedah Shire Council.

Local contractors were engaged in the works, keeping them in jobs while the region was impacted by the worst drought in living memory.

Communities around Mullalley has been calling for this upgrade for more than a decade and the project was very welcome news for those who use the road regularly.