John Holland Pty Ltd, a construction company with extensive expertise in delivering major road projects, has been selected for the job of duplicating the Pacific Highway at Devils Pulpit on the NSW North Coast, clearing the way for work to start by the end of this year.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the awarding of this multi-million contract is yet another major milestone in the delivery of a fully duplicated Pacific Highway.

"Once completed in 2013, the Devils Pulpit Upgrade will deliver safer, faster and less frustrating driving conditions for the 8,000 motorists and truck drivers which use this section of highway each and every day," said Mr Albanese.

"Identified by Infrastructure Australia as being of national significance, the upgrade and duplication of the Pacific Highway all the way from Newcastle to the Queensland Border is the largest road project underway anywhere in the country. So far we have committed $4.1 billion to this nation building task - more than three times what our predecessors spent on this road during their entire twelve years in office."

The Devils Pulpit Upgrade is a jointly funded project, with the Federal Government contributing $62 million and the NSW Government a further $11 million.

NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay said this important project will deliver better driving conditions as well as improve the Highway's capacity to move people and freight between Australia's largest and third largest cities safely and quickly.

"The Devils Pulpit Upgrade will duplicate over seven kilometres of highway," said Mr Gay.

"It will also install three kilometres of wire rope safety barriers, improve the access for nearby residents to their properties, provide facilities which allow animals to cross the Highway safely and lay better drainage.

"Over the next twelve months, work will also commence on the rebuilding of the Highway just north of Ballina between Tintenbar and Ewingsdale."

For more information about the Devils Pulpit Upgrade go to the RTA's Pacific Highway homepage (www.rta.nsw.gov.au/pacific) or call 1800 882 183.