$2.2bn NSW Coffs Harbour bypass progressing well towards construction

Works on the $2.2 billion Coffs Harbour bypass project in New South Wales are on track to commence later this year as early works ramp up and more than half of the structures already demolished. 

Prior to major works, the project is already providing benefits with several local contractors undertaking most of the early work. 

“Four packages of building work have already been awarded to local building contractors Tisdell Constructions, Wilk Construction and PKN Constructions. 

“The four packages will allow for at-home noise treatment for some of the 619 properties identified, with additional packages to be awarded over the next two years. 

“Local contractors are already benefiting from about $40 million already spent, and there have been 166 contracts awarded directly with Transport for NSW with a significant portion going to companies in the region,” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said. 

The tender assessment process for the major contractor for the construction of Coffs Harbour bypass is also well underway, with the announcement of a successful tenderer anticipated mid this year. 

Major construction activities on the Coffs Harbour bypass will begin early next year. 

“Much of the work we have done so far is out of the community’s view, but there has been plenty going on. 

“The project team has been carrying out at-house noise treatments, relocating essential services like the Rural Fire Service shed and removing structures so when major construction work starts the successful contractor can hit the ground running,” Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said. 

Project map (source: Pacific Highway Upgrade)

So far, about 1. kilometres of Essential Energy services have been relocated as well as 2.5 kilometres of water mains and 11.8 kilometres of telecommunication cables. Works will also be commencing to relocate water mains, power and telecommunication lines south of Englands Road to Stadium Drive, along Coramba Road, and in the Korora region between James Small Drive, Opal Cove Golf Course and Coachmans Close to Beachview Drive. 

Over 60 structures are needed to be removed before major construction works can begin and about half of these structures are already gone. 

The more than $2 billion project will deliver about 14 kilometres of four-lane road that will include three interchanges and three tunnels. 

"The bypass will shave nearly 12 minutes off travel time, remove 12 sets of traffic lights and keep 12,000 vehicles out of the CBD each day. 

“It will make our city a better place to live and will reinvigorate the old highway corridor,” State Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said. 

In October last year, a shortlist of tenderers for the construction of the Coffs Harbour bypass was announced. The list included the CPB Webuild Joint Venture, Acciona Seymour Whyte Joint Venture and Gamuda Ferrovial Joint Venture. You can read more about the shortlist here. 

Source: Transport for NSW; Pacific Highway Upgrade – Coffs Harbour Bypass; NSW Government – Coffs Harbour Bypass Web Portal