Federal Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Roads Minister Michael Daley today announced the construction partners chosen to build the seven-kilometre upgrade of the Pacific Highway at Glenugie.

Mr Albanese announced that MacMahon and ARUP have been chosen by the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority as the preferred partners to design and build the Glenugie upgrade.

“The seven-kilometre Glenugie duplication is worth $60 million and will support nearly 250 jobs during construction and improve road safety on the Pacific Highway.

“We are now investing more than $3.6 billion to duplicate and upgrade the Pacific Highway over the next five years, together with the NSW Government.

“This is the Rudd Labor Government’s biggest commitment to a single road anywhere in Australia and our investment is supporting jobs during the global recession.

“This upgrade will greatly improve safety and travel times on this section of the Pacific Highway.”

Mr Daley said the upgrade would greatly improve road safety on the Pacific Highway.

“An environmental assessment for the upgrade is currently on display for public comment, with submissions closing on 11 September.

“The RTA will then prepare a report on the submissions for further consideration by the Department of Planning.

“It's great to see alliance partners are already in place so that work on the Glenugie upgrade can get underway by the end of the year and the new section of highway opened to traffic by the end of 2011,” Mr Daley said.