Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said: “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”.

NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight and Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said: “It is great to work so closely with the Australian government to deliver this major investment in the state’s economy”. 

Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker said the Oxley Highway to Kundabung upgrade includes 23 bridges, and interchanges at Sancrox, Blackmans Point and Haydons Wharf roads. “Achieving this milestone means there is now only a six kilometre 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.

Lyne MP David Gillespie said the new section will have a speed limit of 100km/h to allow for line marking, removing traffic barriers and signposts for the final speed limit of 110 km/h.

Port Macquarie MP 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.

The Australian and NSW governments jointly funded the Oxley highway to Kundabung project with the Australian government committing $524.41 million towards the $820 million project.