The final stage of the Pacific Highway Glenugie upgrade has been officially opened to traffic, marking the completion of the $60 million project.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the completion of this section was just part of the record investment the Australian Government was making to the Pacific Highway.
“We provided $54 million to this one section alone from our Nation Building Program – all up we have committed $4.1 billion to the highway,” said Mr Albanese.
“The opening of the final 3.4 kilometre section from Franklins Road to the Old Pacific Highway means motorists will now benefit from a complete four-lane divided road.
“The upgrade is about 15 kilometres south of Grafton and will improve road safety and traffic flow, and reduce travel times along its seven kilometre length between Franklins Road and Eight Mile Lane.”
Opening the latest section of completed upgrade State Member for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis, said the upgrade, which mainly travels through sections of state forest, has a number of interesting features.
“The road surface used on this project is a heavy duty crushed rock with a sprayed seal wearing surface,” Mr Gulaptis said.
“This type of surface is new on Pacific Highway upgrades and is being used as a trial to assess if it suitable for future upgrades in areas with lighter traffic. If successful, it will provide a much lower whole of life cost option for highway upgrades.
“The project also developed a native re-vegetation model which makes the landscaping to be erosion resistant so soil won’t be washed onto the road or the environment around it.”
The project team will be carrying out finishing work after the opening on both the northbound and southbound lanes and during this time motorists are asked to follow all traffic signs and directions.
One southbound lane will be closed while finishing work is carried out.