The long-awaited Lighthouse Road upgrade spans from Matthew Flinders Drive to the lighthouse.

The project will include widening and resurfacing the road, kerb and guttering, car parking improvements and the addition of a footpath from Davis Crescent to join up with the existing elevated platform.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council awarded the construction tender to Eire Constructions.

Work is scheduled to start in mid to late June with completion before the September school holidays, weather permitting.

Paul Dirago has advocated for Lighthouse Road safety improvements for years.

"Personally, I am really pleased that this milestone has been reached," he said.

"It has taken years of effort by many local people."

Mr Dirago said the council project would finally make safe a busy road which was much used by pedestrians, locals and tourists.

"Tacking Point Lighthouse is the area's top tourist attraction," he said.

"It needs to have suitable, safe access.

"The improvements will be great for pedestrians, eliminating significant safety hazards.

"Pedestrians will have a proper footpath and will no longer need to jump from the narrow road into bushes to avoid vehicles."

Mr Dirago said he knew people appreciated the initiative of mayor Peta Pinson and councillors in obtaining a Commonwealth grant in 2018.

The $1.58 million project is funded through $1.04 million from the council and $540,000 by the federal government through the Building Better Regions Fund.

Holidaymaker Con Karakaltsas said the views from the lighthouse were stunning.

He was happy with access to the lighthouse area and added maybe the road near the entry could be widened.

Council director Jeffery Sharp said the Tacking Point Lighthouse was one of our region's most popular attractions, voted number three by TripAdvisor in the most popular things to do in Port Macquarie.

"It is important that the area is easy and safe to access and can be enjoyed by motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike," he said.

Lighthouse Road will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians during construction to reduce the duration of the work and ensure the public's safety.

"Whilst we understand that there is never a perfect time for significant projects like this to occur, works are taking place during the quieter winter months to reduce the impact on the community, and the inconvenience will certainly be worth it," Mr Sharp said.

Council staff members are working with impacted residents and community groups to pave the way for controlled access to properties during the construction period.

Pedestrians will still be able to access the lighthouse during the upgrade via the staircase at the northern end of Lighthouse Beach and via the coastal walk from the north.

A detour will be in place for about one week in August during work to upgrade the Lighthouse Road/Matthew Flinders Drive intersection.

The community is encouraged to access other whale watching vantage points such as Flagstaff Hill, Harrys Lookout, the Little Bay Lookout, Nobbys Beach and Gaol Point.

Meanwhile, Mr Dirago said there remained one final element of the approved Tacking Point Master Plan to be achieved - a ramp so people with disabilities could have access and enjoy the wonderful views.

"I hope that council will soon, along with other levels of government, construct that ramp," he said.

Lighthouse Road from Pacific Drive to Matthew Flinders Drive is not part of the upgrade.

Sections of that stretch are on National Parks and Wildlife Service-owned land and require boundary adjustments before an upgrade can occur.

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