Construction crews have now begun work on the final bridge of the $2.2 billion Coffs Harbour Bypass.
The last of 21 bridges, this final piece of the puzzle will form the future southbound Pacific Highway underpass, north of Opal Boulevard at Korora.
The bridge is part of a twin-bridge structure, with the northbound bridge already completed and open to traffic.
Once operational, the underpass will connect the service road west of the highway with Solitary Islands Way.
Piling work is now underway, with columns, girders and a major retaining wall to follow.
Last year, the Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge officially opened, providing safer access across the Pacific Highway for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge was named in honour of local boy Luke Bowen, who tragically lost his life 28 years ago.
The Coffs Harbour Bypass is due to open to traffic in late 2026, with overall project completion scheduled for late 2027.
Once open, the 14-kilometre bypass project will allow road users to avoid up to 12 sets of traffic lights on the Pacific Highway, cutting travel times by up to 12 minutes and easing congestion in Coffs Harbour’s CBD.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King said, “It is incredible to see how quickly the Coffs Harbour bypass is taking shape. This project will transform Coffs Harbour, taking traffic and trucks out of the CBD.”
NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison added, “The Coffs Harbour bypass is going to be a game changer for local motorists, visitors passing through, and the trucking industry.
“Not only will the bypass boost the regional economy, but it will also improve connectivity, road transport efficiency and overall safety.”
Upcoming traffic changes
From early June, right-in and right-out turns at the Charlesworth Bay Road and Pacific Highway intersection and the Roselands Drive and Coramba Road intersection will be temporarily restricted.
These temporary changes will allow crews to build the new signalised intersection at Charlesworth Bay Road and the shared user path to Roselands Drive.
Those requiring right-turn movements will be directed to use alternative intersections and existing interchanges.
Following these changes, the Pacific Highway and Englands Road/Stadium Drive intersection will shift west to a temporary roundabout.
This change will allow crews to remove the existing roundabout and install traffic lights at the current intersection.
The shared path for pedestrians and cyclists will also be temporarily relocated as part of these works.
This is to help accelerate construction and reduce the amount of work required in the Boambee area in 2027.
They should send all these road workers to Victoria Pass (Blue Mountains) instead of Coffs Harbour (delay a bypass to fix another).
Yep,send that lot and also that rabble at the bottom of Mount Ousley and get Victoria Pass reopened.Like most locals are saying when Bells Line of Road ices up and is forcefully closed where do we go then?