Mr Albanese said that bridge building was a significant part of work to build the Kempsey bypass Pacific Highway upgrade in August, with work being carried out along the 14.5 kilometre length of the project.
“Australia’s longest bridge is starting to take shape, with the project team continuing work to install the bridge’s foundations in the floodplain south of South West Rocks Road,” Mr Albanese said.
“As well as work on the upgrade’s multiple bridges, earthwork, drainage work and other road building activities continue.
“The Frederickton interchange is also taking shape, with ongoing work to build the connection between the interchange bridge and the new road, as well as the bridge’s main support structure.
“Across the Macleay floodplain, flood impact reduction work in the form of house raising and stock mount building will also continue,” he said.
NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner said it was great to see that work on the Kempsey Bypass was progressing well.
“Having been on site last month to witness the first pile being driven into the ground, it’s great to see that work is on-track to meet the mid-2013 completion date – twelve months sooner than originally scheduled.
“When completed, the Kempsey Bypass will take thousands of trucks off the streets of Kempsey and improve safety and travel times for those motorists travelling along the Pacific Highway.
“This shows that we’re serious about getting on with the job of finishing the Pacific Highway upgrade.”
Work starting in August includes:

• Building the South Kempsey interchange bridge sub-structure;


• Foundation work on the Boat Harbour Creek, Inches Road and Old Station Road bridges;


• Building the connections between future Pola Creek bridge and the new road; and


• Building supports for Macleay River and floodplain bridge.

Work continuing this month includes:

• Building site access roads on the western side of the Pacific Highway, north of Frederickton;


• Ground and soil surveys needed to build the Frederickton interchange;


• Building Frederickton interchange bridge;


• Building the Frederickton levee;


• Earthwork for the main road;


• Earthwork to build the ‘Smithtown link’ road;


• Controlled blasting between the Pacific Highway at South Kempsey and Crescent Head Road;


• Building the twin bridges over the North Coast railway line;


• Building noise mounds between north of Crescent Head Road to Pola Creek;


• Work on Crescent Head Road bridge;


• Building the crane pad for the Macleay River and floodplain bridge;


• Building the rock platform on the northern side of the river for the for the Macleay River and floodplain bridge;


• Ground and soil investigations across the floodplain and the bed of the Macleay River; and


• Installation of foundations for the Macleay River and floodplain bridge in the floodplain south of South West Rocks Road.

Work due to finish this month includes:

• Installation of the drainage for the ‘Smithtown link’ road


• Earthwork for the Frederickton interchange


• Drainage underneath the route of the main highway

For more information about the Kempsey bypass call the project’s toll-free information line on 1800 306 004 or follow the links from the RTA’s Pacific Highway upgrade homepage at www.rta.nsw.gov.au/pacific.