Construction underway on Central Coast Hwy-Tumbi Rd intersection upgrade

Main construction has commenced to upgrade the Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection in New South Wales. 

The $65.5 million project will improve journeys for the 26,000 vehicles using this corridor each day by slashing travel times and boosting safety. 

This intersection upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments, each contributing $52.4 million and $13.1 million respectively. 

“Endless queues down Tumbi Road will soon be a thing of the past as the Australian Government and the NSW Government work together to upgrade the Tumbi Road intersection. 

“This upgrade will make the intersection safer, reduce delays and improve traffic flow. Traffic lights will also give NSW traffic controllers the ability to make changes to the timing and sequencing of lights to maintain traffic flow even in the busiest holiday period,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

“It’s fantastic to see work start to upgrade the Tumbi Road intersection, which is one of the most congested on the Central Coast Highway. 

“This upgrade will improve journey times and reliability for the 26,000 motorists who use this section of road every day. 

“This day has been a long time coming and I’m delighted to be part of a Labor government that is delivering for the people of the Central Coast,” NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said. 

Key features of the upgrade include: 

• Traffic lights replacing the roundabout 

• Highway widening to two lanes each way north of the intersection 

• Two right-turn lanes from Tumbi Road onto the highway 

• A right turn lane onto Tumbi Road from the Central Coast Highway southbound 

• Extended left-turn capacity into Tumbi Road 

• Upgraded footpaths and cycling infrastructure 

• Relocated bus stops for better passenger access, with two existing northbound bus stops moved to a common location north of the intersection 

Works are now underway to replace the existing roundabout with modern traffic lights and expand the highway to two lanes in each direction. 

“The Tumbi Road roundabout is a known bottleneck and I’m delighted to see work start to address this long-standing issue. 

“Replacing the roundabout with traffic lights will help better manage traffic flows, reducing congestion and cutting travel times,” Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride said. 

“This is a critical upgrade for communities across the Central Coast because the Central Coast Highway is a key regional link. 

“It is absolutely fantastic to see this work getting underway. 

“All road users can look forward to reduced congestion and more reliable journeys,” State Member for The Entrance David Mehan said. 

Once completed, the upgraded intersection will address the notorious bottleneck while improving traffic flow and safety on the Central Coast Highway between Wamberal and Bateau Bay. 

Daracon Pty Ltd is undertaking the delivery of the project, which is due to be completed in 2027, weather permitting. 

The Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection upgrade is anticipated to support 125 construction jobs. 

“This upgrade will benefit all local road users, whether they are driving, walking, riding or using public transport. 

“This work will make journeys safer and quicker, which is good news for residents, local businesses and transport operators. 

“It’s good news for the local economy too, with the project to create about 125 jobs throughout the construction phase,” NSW Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said. 

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Transport for NSW (1, 2); Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Infrastructure Magazine