Trucks will now be able to drive on the new Coffs Harbour bypass, with northbound lanes now open.
In the early hours of yesterday morning, barricades were moved across, allowing northbound drivers to travel on a section of the bypass for the first time.
The first of multiple traffic switches starting between now and when the bypass fully opens to traffic at the end of next year is at a section from Charlesworth Bay Road and the new Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge.
To start with, the northbound traffic on the Pacific Highway will veer left south of Bruxner Park Road and head down a section of new road that will become the northbound highway on ramps.
The second stage will then see northbound traffic move onto a new road on the western side of the existing highway in Korora. Occurring in June, this switch will be between the pedestrian bridge and the northern tie in at Campbell Close.
By moving northbound traffic onto the new alignment, the construction team can then start building the new carriageway on the current highway’s northbound lanes.
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Transport for NSW has delivered a new wayfinding tool for the bypass, with TfNSW north region director Anna Zycki saying residents in Coffs Harbour have been asking for a bypass for many years.
“This is one of the biggest road infrastructure projects on the east coast and it’s amazing to see how quickly it is taking shape,” she says.
“Coffs Harbour is a wonderful place already, but removing up to 12,000 vehicles a day, including heavy vehicles, from the city centre will make it so much better.
“It will be quieter, safer and much less congested. When this bypass opens to traffic at the end of next year the only traffic lights between Sydney and Brisbane will be at Hexham, and it won’t be too long after Coffs opens that they’ll be gone as well.
“That will mean people will be able to travel between Sydney and Brisbane without ever having to stop at a traffic light. At the moment there are 12 sets in Coffs Harbour alone. It will make such a difference when they’re gone.
“Getting traffic onto this short section of the new alignment for the first time is a huge achievement. It has been full steam ahead and I can’t wait to see what further progress has been made when I visit next.”
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