$2.2bn Coffs Harbour bypass project reaches another construction milestone

The $2.2 billion Coffs Harbour bypass project in New South Wales has reached another major construction milestone with works commencing on the 17 bridges needed for the bypass. 

Two piling rigs are now on site to begin piling works for the bridges at Englands Road Interchange, at North Boambee, and for the Korora Hill Interchange. About 42 piles will be delivered in the Englands Road area and about 29 piles for the northern interchanges. 

The project’s construction team will be building more than 300 bridge piles across the entire alignment of the bypass, with each pile estimated to take eight bours to complete. 

Beginning at the three interchanges, bridge piling works will be delivered progressively to other sites across the alignment. 

“Bored piling for the bridges at these interchanges will be carried out weekdays from 7am to 6am and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm and will take about two months to complete, weather permitting. 

“The work will include building pads on which the piling rigs will sit, drilling through soil and rock to form pile holes and installing steel reinforcement cages into the holes. 

“We’ll then pour concrete into the holes to build the piles and, when the concrete is set, use jackhammers to remove any excess from the overpour,” Transport for NSW Director North Region Anna Zycki said. 

Project map (source: NSW Government - Planning)

To help minimise noise and disruption, the project team will be using a bored piling technique that is much quieter and less disruptive than driven piles as they don’t require hammering. Moderate and consistent noise will still be observed, however, from the piling rig when it drills through soil and rock. 

“Towards the end of the digging operation there will be louder clangs when material is removed from the rig’s drill piece. 

“Plant and equipment will be positioned as far as possible from neighbours and respite periods may be scheduled, where required,” Ms Zycki said. 

The Coffs Harbour bypass project is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments. It will deliver a 14-kilometre four-lane road that will help improve transport efficiency and road safety for local as well as regional and interstate road users. 

Once open to traffic, motorists will be able to save up to 12 minutes in travel time and bypass up to 12 sets of traffic lights. In addition, the Coffs Harbour bypass will remove thousands of vehicles from the Coffs Harbour CBD. 

Approximately 600 direct jobs are expected to be created through the delivery of the project, including opportunities for residents of Coffs Harbour and surrounding regions. 

In 2022, the Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture was appointed to undertake the delivery of the Coffs Harbour bypass project. You can read more about it here. 

Previously, a Detailed Design Consultation Summary report was released that further pushes the construction of the Korora Hill, Coramba Road and Englands Road interchanges forward towards commencing. More details on the report here. 

Source: Transport for NSW; Pacific Highway Upgrade – Coffs Harbour Bypass; NSW Government – Coffs Harbour Bypass Web Portal