A total of $420 million will go towards upgrading the Pacific Highway in Wyong to help improve traffic flow and safety through the town.
Among the upgrades, there will be two lanes delivered in each direction between Johnson Road at Tuggerah and Cutler Drive at Wyong, and the Wyong River road bridge will be replaced with two new road bridges.
New signalised intersections will also be added at Rose Street, Anzac Avenue, North Road and Cutler Drive. The existing intersection at Church Street will be upgraded and the Rose Street rail bridge will be replaced.
The $420 million in funding is being provided by the federal and NSW Government on an 80:20 split. Of that figure, $336 million was announced as part of the 2022-23 Federal Budget.
“This is a critical investment that will ensure the Central Coast’s infrastructure keeps pace with the region’s growing population and traffic volume,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher, added, “The Pacific Highway is the main route through Wyong Town Centre and is a major urban arterial road connecting the northern suburbs of the Central Coast.
“With the region expected to grow by 75,000 residents over the next 20 years with most of this growth forecast to occur immediately north of Wyong.
“This upgrade will not only ease congestion and improve the liveability of Wyong, it will provide a boost to local businesses and employment opportunities with the project supporting 950 direct and indirect jobs during construction.”
Member for Wyong, David Harris MP, says the upgrades have been a long time coming. In sharing the funding news on social media, he said. “Emma McBride MP and I have been fighting together with the community every budget to get the needed funding.
“We have had petitions, media, protest rallies and finally construction money has been set aside,” he added. “Since 2009 almost $40m has been spent on planning this upgrade.
“This will be the first major upgrade of the Pacific Highway corridor since Tuggerah Straight opened in 2009.”
The project is expected to commence construction in mid-2024 and be completed by mid-2027.