In a major milestone, the Coffs Harbour bypass project has reached the halfway point as 21 bridges are now complete in the significant east coast infrastructure project.
The twin bridges, covering 250m long and 16.5m high, are installed over the North Coast Railway Line to form the longest and highest parts of the bypass.
The piles, columns and headstocks for the bridges are now complete, with work beginning to install 70 massive Super-T girders using a 600-tonne crane.
Once complete, both the federal and NSW governments say the $2.2 billion project will reduce travel times by up to 12 minutes by allowing freight vehicles to avoid 12 sets of traffic lights through Coffs Harbour’s CBD.
“The Coffs Harbour community have been promised this project for a long time, so it’s really welcome to see bridge construction on the bypass pass the halfway point,” federal transport minister Catherine King says.
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“Labor governments have delivered legacy infrastructure like the Kempsey Bypass which cut travel times and removed trucks and traffic from the town centre. We’re now a step closer to doing that again, right here in Coffs Harbour.
“The completed project will be a big boost for Coffs and will mean a safer and more efficient drive for motorists heading up and down the upgraded Pacific Highway.”
By the year’s end, the governments say only three bridges will remain under construction, with the final asphalt surfacing to be laid across all road bridges before the bypass opens to traffic in late 2026. Full project completion is expected in late 2027.
“Well done to the Coffs Harbour Bypass team on this major milestone. It’s incredible to see how quickly this project is taking shape,” NSW roads minister Jenny Aitchison says.
“This project is just one part of our efforts to build a better NSW. Once complete, the Coffs Harbour Bypass will ensure families spend less time in the car and more time with their families. It will speed up the region and improve journey times to health, education and essential services.
“Alongside the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension, the completed bypass will mean people can travel from Sydney to Brisbane without hitting a single set of traffic lights – a gamechanger for regional connectivity, freight operations and road safety.”