Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan today attended a major milestone in the 155km Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade of the Pacific Highway. 50 tonne girders were lifted into place on the twin Halfway Creek Bridge.
“Construction is moving ahead quickly,” he said.
“The new 70m long bridge at Halfway Creek is yet another milestone and will provide motorists with a safer journey.”
“Each girder weighs about 50 tonnes and in total 22 will be used to form the two bridges. They will be lifted by crane and placed at intervals along the bridge spans for structural support,” Mr Hogan said.
“Once the girders have been placed, work will start on the bridge decks. This is a significant piece of engineering work that will draw on the skills of local workforces.
“The Woolgoolga to Ballina section will create approximately 4,000 direct jobs and 7,500 indirect jobs at the peak of construction.”
More than 40 new bridges are being constructed between Woolgoolga and Ballina to provide crossings over rivers, creeks and floodplains.
Once completed the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade will shorten travel times for motorists and local and interstate freight operators by up to 25 minutes.
The Australian and New South Wales governments are jointly funding the construction of the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade on an 80:20 basis.
For more information visit rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/northern-nsw/woolgoolga-to-ballina/index.html
