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Planning approval has been granted for the major upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Sapphire and Woolgoolga. Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Roads Minister Michael Daley said tenders will now be called in mid 2009, with work expected to start early next year. "The project will upgrade about 25 kilometres of the Highway to a dual carriageway between Sapphire to Arrawarra Beach Road, north of Woolgoolga," said Mr Albanese. "This is the latest instalment from the multi-billion investment being made by the Rudd Labor Government in this road of national significance. "All up, we will invest more than $2.64 billion over the next six years to continue the upgrade of the Highway - three times what the previous government allocated over a similar period of time. "This is our biggest commitment to a single road anywhere in Australia." Key features of the project are: - A four lane dual carriageway;
- A left-in/left-out intersection at Campbell Close on the western side and a right-in/left-out intersection with the eastern local road (the existing highway) opposite Campbell Close at the southern end of the proposal;
- Overpasses and underpasses at the following interchanges:
- Gaudrons Road/Split Solitary Road, Sapphire;
- Moonee Beach Road/Hoys Road, Moonee Beach;
- Fiddaman Road/Graham Drive South, Emerald;
- Graham Drive North/Hearnes Lake Road, south Woolgoolga; and
- Arrawarra Beach Road, Arrawarra.
- An upgraded local road between Sapphire and Woolgoolga, providing safer access to local properties and an alternative route for school buses and motorists who do not want to use the Highway.
Mr Daley said the improvements being made to the Highway will improve driving conditions, cut travel times and save lives. "A range of measures will be undertaken to reduce the project's environmental, noise and visual impacts, with the opportunity being taken to stage its construction," said Mr Daley. "What's more, the rest area originally proposed for Arrawarra is now under review, with further public consultations about its location to be held early next year." The planning approval documents are on display at the following locations: - RTA Motor Registry, 34 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour (Mon-Friday, 8.30am-5pm).
- Coffs Harbour City Council, Corner Coff and Castle streets, Coffs Harbour (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm).
- Woolgoolga Public Library, Ganderton Street, Woolgoolga (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm and Sat, 9.30am-noon).
- Coles supermarket, Moonee Beach Shopping Centre, Moonee Beach Road, Moonee Beach (7 days, 8am-9pm)
- Yarrawarra Cultural Centre, 170 Red Rock Road, Corindi Beach (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm).
- RTA Pacific Highway Office, 21 Prince Street, Grafton (Mon-Fri, 8.30am-4.30pm).
- NSW Department of Planning Information Centre, 23-33 Bridge Street Sydney (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).
- Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Level 2, 301 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).
For more information go to www.rta.nsw.gov.au/pacific or phone the project information line on 1800 636 363 (toll free).
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