Bullock teams from the 1840s used a rough track east from Glen Innes to the coast known as the Newton Boyd line.
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A John Henderson travelling through New England in 1851 gave this early description: "Access to the sea has been found by means of a track falling upon the Clarence River and continuing to a small settlement at the head of the navigation (now Copmanhurst) where a hut or two have been built, and bush store established.
"Latterly the taking down from New England and Beardy Plains, part of its wool and the carrying up of stores in return, have tended to increase the prosperity of the Clarence; and if this route from the interior should prove good and come into general use, it will not only much benefit the river and the settlement, but save the inhabitants of the tableland carriage of one or two hundred miles."
Along this Grafton -Newton Boyd Glen Innes road there was fair traffic during the 1850s. Drays carrying loads varying from two to two and a half tons comprised the greater part of this traffic.
But whereas the Grafton-Tenterfield routes were improved during the 1850s the Grafton- Glen Innes road (Newton Boyd line) was left in its original state.
Traffic dwindled as a result and in time the route came to be used almost solely by bullock teams - it was reported..."their bullocks are always in good condition and they enjoy a nice monopoly... on this route too there is - what is invaluable to carriers - plenty of grass and water... and the road runs through a warm country until the last stage upwards.
Increasing numbers of northern New England settlers were beginning to utilise the shipping facilities afforded by the Clarence River in the conveyance of their produce to Sydney and the formation of a better road from New England to the coast then became necessary. (From March 1954 Issue of "Main Roads" Journal of Department of Main Roads NSW)
On 27th November 1866 it was reported that H P Wiseman's tender for No.1 contract had been successful and David Houison would be the engineer.
What a massive undertaking - 106 miles of road running through 25 3/4 miles of cuttings with a 66 yard tunnel!
