The last five kilometres of dual carriageway on the Oxley Highway to Kundabung Pacific Highway upgrade is now open to traffic, continuing the Australian and NSW governments’ commitment to invest in the national road network.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said motorists had been enjoying 18 kilometres of new four-lane divided road bypassing Telegraph Point since November last year.
“Opening the final five kilometre section means the 23-kilometre Oxley Highway to Kundabung project has now been upgraded to dual carriageway between Oxley Highway interchange and Barrys Creek which will drive significant productivity improvements for local freight operators,” Mr McCormack said.
NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight and Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said the Oxley Highway to Kundabung upgrade connected to the recently opened 14-kilometre Kundabung to Kempsey upgrade.
“Together, this upgrade provides 37 kilometres of new safer four-lane divided road between Port Macquarie and Kempsey and it is great to work so closely with the Australian Government to deliver this major investment in the State’s economy,” Mrs Pavey said.
Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker said the Oxley Highway to Kundabung upgrade included 23 bridges as well as interchanges at Sancrox Road, Blackmans Point Road and at Haydons Wharf Road.
“Achieving this milestone means there is now only six kilometres section between Warrell Creek and Bald Hill Road remaining to complete the 105-kilometre Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour Pacific Highway upgrade. This section is expected to open in mid-2018, weather permitting,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said initially the new section of four lane divided road will open with a speed limit of 100km/h to allow minor finishing work to replace line marking, remove traffic barriers and signpost to the final speed limit of 110 km/h.
“Temporary traffic arrangements are in place at the Yarrabee Road interchange. Motorists will use this temporary turning arrangement while the finishing work at the new interchange is carried out which is expected to be completed a few days after the traffic switch, weather permitting,” Dr Gillespie said.
NSW Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said next steps included carrying out post-construction operational noise monitoring to check road traffic noise levels and compare these to the pre-construction noise levels.
“These noise monitoring checks are scheduled to take place in coming months once the speed limit is increased to 110 km/h and traffic patterns have settled,” Mrs Williams said.