Local residents living near the Pacific Highway between Woolgoolga and Halfway Creek are already enjoying the benefits of the upgrade after the opening of Sherwood Creek Road overpass.
“The Sherwood Creek Road overpass opened to traffic in early May and has increased safety for motorists on Sherwood Creek Road by removing an at-grade intersection with the existing highway,” Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said.
“Road users can now access Sherwood Creek Road from Eggins Drive and traffic from Sherwood Creek Road gives way to traffic on Eggins Drive at Arrawarra.”
Mr Hogan said Kangaroo Trail Road overpass bridge at Corindi Beach would also open to traffic this month, weather permitting.
“The new bridge will provide improved access for local residents who will no longer have to use the temporary side track,” he said.
“The temporary side track will become an access to the new alignment for work vehicles only as work progresses on the $4.36 billion Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade.
“Signs will be installed on Eggins Drive, Sherwood Creek Road and Kangaroo Trail Road to advise motorists of the changed traffic arrangements.”
Significant progress has also been made on the twin concrete bridges across Halfway Creek with 22 pre-cast Super T girders now installed as part of the 57 metre two-span crossing.
The project also involves building the 77 metre three-span twin concrete bridges over Wells Crossing and 12 kilometres of road.
Progress to build the longest bridge of the upgrade, the bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood took another step forward this month with the preferred tender announced as Acciona Ferrovial Joint Venture.
The 1.5 kilometre bridge is the longest of the more than 100 bridges to be built during the upgrade and will be designed to meet the future traffic needs of the Pacific Highway and regional traffic, with a 30 metre navigational clearance for marine traffic.
Major work is expected to start on the Clarence River bridge meaning 90 of 155 kilometres will be under construction.
The number of bridges being provided as part of the upgrade is still being finalised with detailed design work focused on changing culverts to bridges where practical to address flooding impact.
NSW State Member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser said so far, two bridges have been completed between Woolgoolga and Glenugie where major work is expected to be completed by mid-next year, weather permitting.
“Another nine are being built with eight bridge building packages expected to go out to tender later this year through a two stage process,” Mr Fraser said.
“The first stage will focus on gauging interest from the market and will outline the proposed strategy for feedback.
“The second stage will involve the release of packages of between $20 million and $30million each totalling more than $200m cumulatively, between August and November this year.”
For more information call 1800 778 900 or rms.nsw.gov.au/w2b
