From Monday motorists and truck drivers travelling to the Gold Coast and Brisbane will for the first time be using the new northbound lanes built as part of the upgrade of the Pacific Highway at Banora Point, with the entire project on track to be completed later this year on time and on budget.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese today joined Richmond MP Justine Elliot, Tweed MP Geoff Provest and Tweed Council Mayor Barry Longland onsite to celebrate this major milestone.
“Once fully completed, the improvements made as part of this multimillion upgrade will deliver smoother, safer driving conditions for the 55,000 vehicles which use this section of highway each day,” said Mr Albanese.
“Even more signficantly, this project eliminates the last set of traffic lights between Coffs Harbour and Brisbane’s CBD, a distance of almost 400 kilometres.
“Now with the completion of both the new north and southbound lanes, we are on the brink of fulfilling yet another key commitment we made prior to being elected in 2007. When it comes to infrastructure, Federal Labor believes in what it says and delivers what it promises.
“The Banora Point project is part of the ongoing upgrade and full duplication of the Pacific Highway, the most expensive and complex road project ever undertaken in Australia.”
The Banora Point Upgrade is a jointly funded project with the Federal Government contributing $349 million and the NSW Government a further $10 million.
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay said the final stage of the project – new ramp connections – will be completed mid-year.
“Motorists heading north along the Pacific Highway will from next week travel on the newly built section at the viaduct bridge between Barneys Point Bridge and Laura Street,” said Mr Gay.
“After years of planning work, community consultations and construction, the local community, as well as regular users of the Highway, will soon be enjoying the considerable benefits this project will deliver.”
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Banora Point Upgrade