Australia, Roadworks, Transport News

Coffs Harbour Bypass reaches major milestone

Tunnelling teams have broken through the northbound and southbound tube of the Gatelys Road Tunnel in the Coffs Harbour Bypass project
A tunnel-boring machine on the Coffs Harbour Bypass project.

The first phase of the multi-billion-dollar Coffs Harbour Bypass is complete, with both teams tunnelling either side of the 410-metre Gatelys Road Tunnel breaking through the northbound tube on Monday, October 28.

That breakthrough was followed by the teams breaking through the southbound tube on Tuesday, November 5, which has marked the completion of the first major phase of the three tunnels that are being constructed as part of the bypass.

Over $2 billion has been invested in the project, with each of the three tunnels possessing two tubes that are each capable of carrying two lanes of traffic with room to accommodate cyclists.

Workers will now start excavating the tunnel floor, carry out permanent tunnel lining works, install drainage, build the pavement and complete the fit-out of the mechanical, electrical, fire, safety and intelligent transport systems.

Breakthrough at the 320-metre-long Shepherd’s Tunnel is expected by mid-April next year, while the bypass is expected to open to traffic in late 2026.

Once open the bypass is expected to remove 12,000 vehicles from the Coffs Harbour CBD, which lies on a crucial freight arterial along Australia’s east coast.

“This is a major milestone for this nation-shaping project,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King says.

“During consultation ahead of the project in 2016 the people of Coffs Harbour were very clear they wanted tunnels instead of cuttings, and it is great to see progress in bringing that to fruition.

“Being able to pass through from one side of this large hill to the other is a major achievement, and I look forward to the work over the next two years as the tunnels start taking their final shape.”

The federal government is contributing $1.76 billion to the project, with the NSW government adding $440 million.

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