Pacific Highway safety improvements

Reviewed

Project overview

The Australian and NSW Governments invested almost $40 million through the Federal Stimulus Road Safety program for upgrades and improvements to reduce the risk of crashes and save lives on this busy highway.

Project completed

Upgrades are now complete, improving safety for more than 25,000 motorists who travel along the Pacific Highway each day.

Thanks to all road users and the community for your patience and support.

 

Background

The Australian Government committed up to $300 million and the NSW Government a further $108.2 million in March 2021 to fund state-wide upgrades under the first phase of the Federal Stimulus Road Safety program.

More than $40 million has been provided through this program to fund safety improvements at six locations on the Pacific Highway. These projects will improve safety for more than 25,000 motorists who travel along the Pacific Highway each day.

The projects will generate work for more than 250 workers during construction, which provides a welcome boost to the local economy as it recovers from COVID-19.

Overview

This funding has allowed projects to be fast-tracked at Karuah, Topi Topi, Coolongolook, Cundletown, Ghinni Ghinni and Middle Brother.

These projects are delivering upgrades to a total of 25 kilometres of the highway, and include road widening, resurfacing and installing safety barriers.

Work started at some of the locations in April 2021 and all projects are expected to be completed by early 2023.

Projects underway

Ghinni Ghinni – work involves resurfacing and improving road levels along an 10 kilometre stretch of the highway between Oxley Bend Road and Harrington Road.

Cundletown – Work is underway on improvements at the Cundletown interchange to improve safety and increase the level of service for larger freight vehicles.

The upgrade of the Cundletown interchange will support the development of the Northern Gateway Transport Hub on Princes Street, being developed and delivered by MidCoast Council.

For more information view the February 2022 project notification (159Kb) or view the project design (465Kb).

For latest information about work underway and traffic changes view the November 2022 project notification (PDF, 400Kb).

Projects completed

Karuah – work involved installing median and roadside safety barriers, rumble strips, clearing and road widening.

Topi Topi – work involved installing median and roadside safety barriers, rumble strips, clearing and road widening.

Coolongolook – work involved upgrading the median safety barrier.

Middle Brother – work involved improving the road shoulders along a three kilometre stretch of highway near Algona Road, and installing wire rope safety barriers and rumble strips.

Project documents

Some documents on this page may not comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG).

If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us.

 

Project notifications

Media releases

  • 7 March 2022

    Improvements start at Cundletown interchange.

  • 5 August 2021

    $40M Pacific Highway safety boost on Mid North Coast.