More safety upgrades on the Pacific Highway in New South Wales are now underway and motorists in the Mid Coast region will soon benefit from these road improvements between Ghinni Ghinni and Coopernook.
This project is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments on an 80:20 basis, with the Australian Government’s contribution coming from its $3 billion Road Safety Program.
“This is part of a wider $40 million investment along the Pacific Highway which has been underway for several months now, with projects already completed at Karuah, Topi Topi, Coolongolook and Middle Brother, and planning for Cundletown progressing well.
“The Pacific Highway is the busiest transport and freight route north of Newcastle, so it’s great to see improvements being rolled out to help ensure those who use it every day complete their journeys safely,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said.
This $22 million Pacific Highway upgrade project is anticipated to support over 70 jobs during its eight months construction period.
Upgrading an 11.75-kilometre stretch of the Pacific Highway at Ghinni Ghinni will improve safety to reduce the risk of crashes and, in turn, save lives.
“We know what a game-changer the Pacific Highway upgrade has been – a $15 billion investment by the Australian and NSW Governments, creating more than 100,000 jobs over the multi-generational build, and reducing fatalities by more than 75 per cent.
“This upgrade at Ghinni Ghinni will make a real difference to the lives of locals and improve safety for more than 25,000 motorists who travel along this part of the Pacific Highway each day,” NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said.
Works along this section of the highway are being carried out in stages, establishing a contraflow traffic arrangement to allow motorists to move to the opposite lanes while reducing the speed limit to 80km/h.
“These important and essential improvements will all be worth it when the upgrades are complete, however I encourage motorists to be patient as they pass through the key work areas.
“No work is being carried out during peak traffic periods including public holidays, long weekends and between Christmas and New Year,” Federal Member for Lyne David Gillespie said.
Other improvement works will include installing additional safety measures such as barriers and audio tactile line markings to alert drivers that they are moving out of their lanes along the entire stretch of highway at Ghinni Ghinni.
“This project will be an absolute game changer for locals who will see greater safety outcomes along the route when these upgrades are complete,” State Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead said.
In addition, road resurfacing and improvements to road levels will be carried out on the 10-kilometre stretch of highway between Oxley Bend Road and Harrington Road, both northbound and southbound lanes, to provide a smoother surface and to improve surface water run-off when it rains.
Weather permitting, crews will be working on the project 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the next eight months.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; The Nationals for Regional NSW; Transport for NSW