Minister Albanese said the awarding of this multi-million dollar design and build contract was yet another major milestone in the ongoing upgrade of the Pacific Highway.
“Once completed in 2014, the upgrade will deliver safer, faster and less frustrating driving conditions for the 12,500 motorists and truck drivers that use this section of road each and every day - a figure which is only likely to grow in the years ahead,” said Mr Albanese.
“Identified as a project of national significance by Infrastructure Australia, the full duplication of the Pacific Highway is the largest road project now underway anywhere in the country.
“So far we’ve committed $4.1 billion to this nation building task - more than three times what our predecessors spent during their twelve long years in office.”
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay said this important project would deliver better and safer driving conditions as well as improve the Highway’s capacity to move people and freight between Australia’s largest and third largest cities quickly.
“The full upgrade of the Pacific Highway is a priority for the NSW Government,” said Mr Gay.
“This is the only section on the Far North Coast yet to be duplicated and once complete, motorists and truck drivers can look forward to a four lane, divided highway all the way from Ballina to the Queensland border.”
Mr Gay also said that following community concern expressed over the Bangalow interchange design concept, a working party, including representatives from the local community, had been established.
“Unlike the former Labor Government, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government actually listen to the concerns of local communities,” said Mr Gay.
“A public meeting was held last month, attended by the Nationals Member for Ballina Don Page, and it was decided that a working group would be set up to review and refine access arrangements for local residents.
“A revised concept will be placed on public display for community feedback before any final decision is made.”
The Tintenbar to Ewingsdale Upgrade is jointly funded, with the Federal Government contributing $416 million and the NSW Government a further $135 million.
The project will rebuild and widen the Highway, upgrade the Ewingsdale Interchange, drill parallel tunnels under St Helena ridge and install measures to protect the water quality in the Emigrant Creek and Wilson River catchments.
For more information go to www.rta.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call 1800 882 787.