The refined concept design for the upgrade of the Pacific Highway between the Oxley Highway turn-off and the new, soon-to-be-completed Kempsey Bypass is now on public display, with the local community having until 18 January to provide feedback and make suggestions.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the project is part of the ongoing upgrade and full duplication of the Highway, the most expensive and complex road project ever undertaken in Australia.
“Given the high cost and long lifespan of any new piece of infrastructure, it’s critical that we get the long term planning right from the very outset – and that’s why I’d urge locals to get involved in the consultation process that’s now underway,” said Mr Albanese.
“At the end of the day, we want a new, modern Pacific Highway that can stand the test of time, meet the needs of the local communities which rely upon it and support our nation’s ongoing economic development.”
The Oxley Highway to Kempsey Upgrade will convert about 37 kilometres of the Pacific Highway to a four lane divided road from north of the Oxley Highway to south of Kempsey.  The project will also include a bypass of Telegraph Point.
NSW Roads and Ports Minister Duncan Gay said refinements to the original design were made in order to address community, environmental and engineering constraints as well as to improve safety and deliver better value for money.
“The Oxley Highway to Kempsey upgrade will deliver safer driving conditions and faster journey times as well as ease localised congestion,” said Mr Gay.
“It will also improve access to and from the Highway for local residents and reduce the chance of the Highway being inundated by rising flood waters.”
Since 2008, the Federal Government has committed $4.1 billion and the NSW Government a further almost $1 billion to this massive nation building project.  As at 30 June, almost 52 per cent of the Highway had been upgraded to ‘motorway standard’ and duplicated.