Coolac Bypass
The Coolac Bypass completed the dual carriageway of the Hume Highway north of Gundagai, and was opened on 14 August 2009.
The $179 million project was funded by the Federal Government and managed by Transport for NSW (TfNSW).
The $179 million project was funded by the Federal Government and managed by Transport for NSW (TfNSW).
Contractors
- Construction: Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd
- Site management: Professional Engineering Services Pty Ltd.
Fast facts
- Approximately 1.6 million cubic metres of earthworks were excavated and built into embankments.
- An on-site batch plant generated over 130,000 cubic metres of concrete throughout the project.
- 3 concrete paving machines were used.
- At construction peak, the main paving machine generated over 500 metres of roadway – over 1000 cubic metres of concrete – in a single day.
- Over 50,000 native trees were planted as part of the final project works.
- A total of 137 nesting boxes were installed in some of the larger trees to help with the breeding of native birds.
- 6 glider poles were installed to help with the safe movement of native fauna, such us the squirrel glider, between adjacent clusters of native vegetation.
- A travelling stock reserve is adjacent to, but separated from the highway.
- A heritage-listed timber railway platform was relocated from Pettit and permanently installed along a section of railway line opposite Coolac village.
- A length of the main trunk from a 150 year old survey-marker tree ('blaze' tree) was preserved and relocated to the Gundagai Historical Society, where it is now on display.
- Facilities were constructed in the 2 rest areas at Coolac.
Features
- Construction of 12km of dual carriageway on the Hume Highway.
- Reconstruction of 4km of northbound carriageway between Muttama Creek and the Dog on the Tuckerbox on an improved alignment.
- A full diamond interchange at Cootamundra Road, east of Coolac.
- An underpass for local traffic at Coleman Street in Pettit.
- Twin bridge structures at Muttama Creek and Daisy Bed Creek.
- The upgrade of Main Street and Gobarralong Road in Pettit.
- A rest area on either side of the highway, including landscaping and parking.
Benefits
The bypass significantly improves road safety by:
- Providing a four lane, divided carriageway to separate northbound and southbound traffic.
- Removing heavy vehicle traffic from Coolac village and providing safer access from the Hume Highway to Pettit and Coolac.
- Reducing travelling times and heavy vehicle operating costs for through traffic.