Freight operators travelling through Myall Lakes are benefitting from safer and smoother journeys on the Pacific Highway with improvement work completed at the Cundletown Interchange, said Transport for NSW (TfNSW).
The Australian and NSW governments jointly funded the $13.2 million project on an 80:20 basis as part of the Road Safety Program.
The project, which started in 2022, included improvements to the northbound on and off ramps at the Cundletown Interchange, lengthening of the southbound deceleration lane into Oxley Bend Road and improvements to the southbound roundabout for the overpass at Princes Street.
Work to lengthen the northbound on ramp required the permanent closure of the right turn movement into Oxley Bend Road, which was replaced by a new U-turn facility 600 metres north of the intersection with a deceleration lane.
Other work involved adjustments to safety barriers, street lighting and utilities, along with drainage work, new signage and line marking.
“The Pacific Highway is the busiest transport and freight route north of Newcastle, so it’s great to see improvements being carried out to help ensure those who use it each day complete their journeys safely,” said NSW region north director Anna Zycki.
“The upgrade will make a real difference to the lives of the more than 22,000 motorists, including 4400 heavy vehicles, who daily travel along this part of the Pacific Highway.
“By upgrading Cundletown Interchange, we are helping to support Mid-Coast Council’s vision of a centralised transport hub designed to address freight distribution problems in and around the lower mid-north coast region.
“It also provided a welcome boost to the local economy by supporting more than 40 jobs over the duration of the work.”
The upgrade has helped support the development of the Northern Gateway Transport Hub on Princes Street, being delivered by Mid-Coast Council.
TfNSW completed the road works portion of the project in March 2023 with the northbound lighting work completed this month.