Major construction of the $2.2 billion Coffs Harbour Bypass is due to begin next year.
The project will upgrade around 14 kilometres of the Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour, starting from south of Englands Road roundabout and finishing at the southern end of the Sapphire to Woolgoolga project.
The upgrade will deliver four lanes of divided motorway bypassing the Coffs Harbour CBD, and avoiding up to 12 sets of traffic lights.
“We know how important the three tunnels are to the community’s vision for their bypass – and under the planning approvals now in place, they can be assured that’s exactly what they will get,” said NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole.
“Everything is now set to go – early works are on schedule and major construction is on track to fire up at the start of next year.”
The project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments on an 80:20 basis, and is expected to be open to traffic from late 2026.
Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture will design and construct the Coffs Harbour Bypass.
NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway added, “The Coffs Harbour bypass will transform travel in this region by diverting 12,000 vehicles away from the CBD, saving motorists around 12 minutes off their trip.
“I pleased to say that many of the jobs will be filled by local people who were involved in the Pacific Highway upgrade, which we jointly delivered in 2020.”
State Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the Coffs Harbour Bypass will ease highway congestion and improve safety. “The bypass will be a key link in this vital piece of the nation’s infrastructure, connecting Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.”