The upgraded section is part of the Oxley Highway to Kundabung works that carry an $820 million price tag.

The 18 kilometre Pacific Highway upgrade, between the Oxley Highway interchange and Haydons Wharf Road, will open shortly.

There will be traffic changes to allow the contractors to open the road and complete this section of the highway upgrade, a Roads and Maritime Services information advises.

This 18 kilometre section will be opened at 100 kilometres per hour and after finishing work is completed, the speed limit will be increased to 110 km/h. This is expected to occur in early December 2017, weather permitting.

But the opening of the new section will see some significant traffic changes at Hastings River Drive and the existing Pacific Highway intersection.

Once the new highway opens drivers will need to use the new Blackmans Point interchange to access the Pacific Highway to travel north or south from Hastings River Drive.

Changes to local roads include, no left turn at the intersection of Hastings River Drive and the old highway while work is being carried out on the new local access road between Hastings River Drive and Sancrox interchange.

“We expect this closure will be in place for about four to five days, weather permitting,” an RMS spokesperson said.

There are also changes at Telegraph Point with two new interchanges at Blackmans Point Road and Haydons Wharf Road providing access to and from the Pacific Highway upgrade.

Local road access will be provided via Telegraph Point Road – previously the Pacific Highway.

“Drivers will use the Blackmans Point interchange to access Hastings River Drive to travel to Port Macquarie or to access the Pacific Highway upgrade to travel to Taree.

“You can use the Haydons Wharf Road interchange to access the Pacific Highway to travel to and from Kempsey or Coffs Harbour.

“Finishing work on the northbound on-ramp will be carried out over coming months.”

Access to the highway will be maintained while this work is completed, the spokesperson said.