By Lynda Myer
Following the completion of the detailed design for New South Wales’ Coffs Harbour bypass, the major construction is set to start in March.
Refinements to three interchanges are the main changes to the design, while there have been design updates and the overall design, including tunnels, has not changed.
The wide consultation, including on the environmental impact statement and refined design in 2019, during the concept design display in September 2018 and discussions with key stakeholders since planning approval was granted in December 2020, was done beforehand that detailed design refinements have been made.
According to Transport NSW, there was remarkable collaboration between it and the Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture before the changes were finalized.
Currently, it is public’s turn to provide comments on the project’s refined design.
As part of NSW’s Pacific Highway upgrade, the Coffs Harbour Bypass project with A$2.2bn (US$1.52bn) value involves almost 14km of road and includes the construction of three tunnels at Roberts Hill, Shepherds Lane and Gatelys Road.
Providing four lanes of divided motorway bypassing the Coffs Harbour CBD, taking thousands of vehicles out of the center of town and saving motorists time by avoiding up to 12 sets of traffic lights, are the advantages of this upgrade. The determined date for inauguration of this project is the late 2026.
Also in June 2022, the Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture was granted the design and build contract.
