The Australian and NSW Ministers responsible for delivering new road infrastructure today inspected the Alstonville Bypass site on the Bruxner Highway following the federal Budget announcement of funding to start construction.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese and NSW Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal met with Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin and members of the Alstonville Bypass Committee.

“Thanks to the $13.6 million delivered in the Rudd Labor Government’s first budget, I can today confirm that construction of the Alstonville Bypass will start this year,” said Mr Albanese.

“The Alstonville bypass will clear a bottleneck on the road between Ballina and Lismore and assist in getting trucks and through traffic out of the urban area.

“Our $13.6 million is a down payment to get work started – we will provide $90 million in total to build the Alstonville Bypass.

“This is about the Rudd Labor Government delivering on its election commitments and fixing Australia’s over-stretched transport networks.”

Mr Roozendaal said the project involved a 6.6km bypass of the Bruxner Highway at Alstonville. The bypass will begin at Sneaths Road, Wollongbar and rejoin the highway at the Tropical Fruit Research Station at Perrys Hill, east of Alstonville.

“The Alstonville bypass will provide significant benefits, including faster travel times for local and highway traffic and better traffic flow along the existing highway,” Mr Roozendaal said.

“The project will also reduce waiting times at intersections, reduce vehicle operating costs and lower emissions.

“Residents of Alstonville and Wollongbar will benefit from reduced traffic congestion and better pedestrian access and safety.”

Tenders for construction will be called later this year with the bypass expected to be open to traffic around the end of 2010.

Overall, the Australian Government's will invest $576 million in New South Wales transport infrastructure in 2008-09.