Pacific Highway – Woolgoolga to Ballina

Project Description

This project has constructed 155km of four-lane divided highway between the Arrawarra Interchange in the south and the Ballina Bypass in the north. The project included upgrades of the existing northbound carriageways of the four-lane divided sections at Glenugie and Devils Pulpit and upgrades of the intersections at the existing four-lane divided section at Halfway Creek.

The upgrade has been delivered using a Tailored Delivery Partner model. Under this model, a major provider with design, building and management expertise was engaged to oversee the project in collaboration with the NSW Roads and Maritime Services Pacific Highway Office.

Benefits

This project completed the four-lane divided highway between Sydney and Brisbane, and resulted in a continuous four-lane divided road between Brisbane and Melbourne. The project has:

• Improved road safety by separating traffic and providing more rest opportunities for drivers
• Enhanced economic efficiency by reducing travel times and fuel costs for transport operators and for motorists during holiday periods
• Improved access and amenity for local residents through new interchanges and bypasses of towns along the route

Funding

The Australian Government committed up to $3.7 billion (excludes planning and pre-construction) towards the project. The Australian and New South Wales governments are working together to finalise the cost of the project.

Timetable

The Department of the Environment granted approval for the Woolgoolga to Ballina section on 14 August 2014. Major construction commenced on 27 June 2015 and the project was officially opened to traffic on 17 December 2020.

Section 1, from Woolgoolga to Halfway Creek, and Section 2, from Halfway Creek to Glenugie, were the first sections completed, with both opening to traffic in late 2017.  

The Pacific Complete consortium (comprising Laing O'Rourke and WSP (then Parsons Brinckerhoff)) was awarded the contract for the delivery partner role on 19 June 2015.

Acciona Ferrovial Joint Venture was awarded the contract for the design and construction of the Clarence River bridge on 7 July 2016. This river crossing is also known as the Harwood bridge. Construction commenced on 15 August 2016 and the bridge was opened to traffic on 4 December 2019.

Lendlease Engineering was awarded the contract to deliver the one-kilometre-long bridge over the Richmond River at Broadwater on 9 February 2017. Investigation work commenced in April 2017 and permanent works in October 2017. The bridge was opened to traffic in late 2020.

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