Work on duplicating another section of the Pacific Highway in NSW will get underway next year
August 9, 2011
Work on duplicating another section of the Pacific Highway in NSW will get underway next year, completing the final stage of the project in the state’s Far North Coast.
The contract to duplicate the highway between Tintenbar and Ewingsdale has been awarded to Baulderstone.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says the announcement marks another milestone in the multi-million dollar duplication of the highway, which is due to be completed in 2014.
Jointly funded by the federal and NSW governments, the $551 million Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade will rebuild and widen the highway and upgrade the Ewingsdale Interchange.
It will also drill parallel tunnels under St Helena ridge and install measures to protect the water quality in the Emigrant Creek and Wilson River catchments.
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay says the project will deliver safer driving conditions and improve the route’s capacity to move people and freight between capital cities.
“This is the only section on the Far North Coast yet to be duplicated and once complete, motorists and truck drivers can look forward to a four lane, divided highway all the way from Ballina to the Queensland border,” he says.
Gay says a working group has also been established in response to community concerns over the Bangalow interchange design concept.
The group will be responsible for reviewing and refining access arrangements for local residents.
“A revised concept will be placed on public display for community feedback before any final decision is made,” Gay says.