Feedback sought on proposed Pacific Hwy - Harrington Rd Interchange project

Feedback from the community is now being sought on the next step for the new Pacific Highway interchange that will connect Harrington and Coopernook roads. 

A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) was released by Transport for NSW as part of the project and highlights the potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures of the upgrade. 

“These intersections provide a local connection between the communities of Harrington and Coopernook. 

“They currently require motorists to complete a right turn across two lanes of traffic, travelling at 100 kilometres an hour on the Pacific Highway. 

“Between 2016 and 2022, there were 10 recorded crashes at intersections in the proposal area, including one fatality. 

“The proposed upgrade would improve road safety by removing the right hand turns on and off the Pacific Highway while improving accessibility and connectivity for the towns of Harrington and Coopernook,” Transport for NSW Region North Director Anna Zycki said. 

The proposed Pacific Highway – Harrington Road Interchange project will include: 

• An interchange with a bridge over the Pacific Highway 
• A link road with a single lane in each direction connecting Coopernook Road and Harrington Road 
• A connection with Coopernook Road via a single-lane roundabout (or appropriate intersection) 
• A connection with Harrington Road via a single-lane roundabout (or appropriate intersection) 
• Raising Coopernook ROad between the Pacific Highway and the proposed roundabout to maintain current flood immunity 
• Adjustments to the Pacific Highway median to remove turning lanes, install wire rope and concrete barriers 
• Utilising existing left-in/left-out connections to enter and exit the Pacific Highway 
• A shared user path across the bridge 
• Acceleration and deceleration lanes on the Pacific Highway to ensure safe entry and exit to and from the highway 

Proposed upgrade (source: Transport for NSW)

The final design for this project will ensure that the new intersections at Coopernook and Harrington roads can accommodate semi-trucks up to 19 metres long as well as trucks, caravans and trailers. 

“The design will also raise Coppernook Road between the Pacific Highway and the proposed roundabout to maintain current flood immunity. 

“The proposal has also taken active transport into account, with a shared user path across the bridge, and will further improve safety with adjustments to the highway median, including the removal of turning lanes, along with installation of wire rope and concrete barriers. 

“The upgrade will improve traffic flow for motorists and freight, and remove the need for a right turn across the highway, reducing the risk and severity of crashes,” Ms Zycki said. 

The REF prepared by Transport for NSW also outlines the proposed construction methods that will help minimise environmental impacts on the local community through traffic, access, noise and vibration, flora and fauna, soils and water quality as well as socio-economic, flooding and Aboriginal heritage. 

The local community is encouraged to have their say on the published REF – which can be found here. 

Transport for NSW will continue to keep the community informed as the project progresses. 

“We want to hear from the local community to ensure we get this right for all road users, including residents, tourists and our freight network. 

“Transport will consider all feedback received during this display period. Following the display, a report responding to submissions will be prepared and shared with the community,” Ms Zycki said. 

Source: Transport for NSW (1, 2); Big Rigs