Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection upgrade
Project overview
The Australian Government and NSW Government are investing $64 million to upgrade the Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection.
As part of plans to improve traffic flow and safety on the Central Coast Highway between Wamberal and Bateau Bay, the NSW Government has prioritised the most congested intersection at Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road.
Latest news
November 2023 - Early works complete
Early works to prepare for the Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection upgrade are now complete.
We would like to thank you for your patience during this important preparation work.
For more information read the November notification (PDF, 453.69 KB).
Sept 2023 - early work update
Early work to prepare for the upgrade will soon be complete. The final works involve shifting the safety barriers away from the road, installing utilities, changing line marking and signage.
Throughout the day, there will be ongoing work to maintain environmental controls, landscaping and vegetation management.
For more information read the September end of early work notification (PDF, 264.53 KB).
May 2023 - Ongoing early work
Early work continues in preparation for the Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection upgrade.
Read the May community update (PDF, 220.16 KB).
Feb 2023 - Early work
Early work on Tumbi Road and Central Coast Highway intersection, Wamberal from Sunday 12 February. Read the February community notification (PDF, 254.91 KB).
Jun 2022 - Submissions report now available
Thank you to those stakeholders and community members who commented on the concept design and review of environmental factors (REF) for the Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection upgrade.
We have published a submissions report summarising the community comments, our responses and details of the decision. The full submissions report (PDF, 6.74Mb) can be viewed, or you can read the June Community Notification (PDF, 204Kb).
We will keep the community updated about the progress of work.
Project information
Background
The Central Coast Highway provides an important connection between the M1 Pacific Motorway at Kariong and the Pacific Highway at Doyalson through Gosford, Erina and The Entrance.
With around 26,000 motorists using the Central Coast Highway between Wamberal and Bateau Bay daily, the NSW Government invested in early planning for the upgrade to help ensure the highway was prepared to handle future growth.
In June 2020, we sought feedback on the proposed strategic design and received general support for widening the highway to two lanes in each direction to improve safety and traffic flow.
The upgrade of the most congested section, being the intersection at Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road was prioritised and fast tracked. Early work to prepare for the intersection upgrade has now been completed.
Construction for the main works on the Tumbi Road intersection upgrade is subject to approval, as such timing is not yet confirmed but tendering is expected mid-2024.
Benefits
The upgrade would:
- Reduce delays, queuing and improve traffic flow at the intersection
- Improve journey reliability and safety for all road users
- Provide more reliable public transport amenities and access
- Improve local walking and cycling connections.
Key Features
The Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection upgrade would include:
- Replacing the existing intersection roundabout with traffic lights
- Widening the Central Coast Highway north of the intersection to two lanes in each direction
- Providing two right turn lanes out of Tumbi Road onto the highway southbound
- Lengthening the left turn lane into Tumbi Road from the northbound lanes of the highway
- Providing a right turn lane into Tumbi Road from the southbound lanes of the highway
- New and upgraded footpaths and shared paths
- Providing a u-turn bay in front of Pacific Garden Hotel for southbound traffic
- Providing an interim transition back to the existing arrangements at the northern limit of works, near Forresters Beach Garden Centre
- Relocating two existing bus stops to a common location northbound on the Central Coast Highway north of the intersection.
Next steps
Construction for the main works on the Tumbi Road intersection upgrade is subject to approval, as such timing is not yet confirmed but tendering is expected mid-2024. The project will take about two years to complete.
We will keep the community updated as work progresses.
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.
Community notifications
- November 2023 - Early works complete (PDF, 453.69 KB)
Early works to prepare for the Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection upgrade are now complete. - September 2023 - Early works update (PDF, 264.53 KB)
Early works to prepare for the Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection upgrade will soon be complete. - May 2023 - Ongoing early work (PDF, 220.16 KB)
Early work continues in preparation for the Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection upgrade. - February 2023 - community notification (PDF, 254.91 KB)
Early work on Tumbi Road and Central Coast Highway intersection, Wamberal from Sunday 12 February.
Project updates
- June 2022 project update
Submissions report now online.
- October 2021 project update
Concept design and environmental assessment.
Reports
- Submissions report June 2022
Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road Intersection Upgrade.
Review of environmental factors
- October 2021 review of environmental factors
Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road Intersection Upgrade.
- Appendix A
Consideration of clause 228(2) factors and matters of national environmental significance and Commonwealth land.
- Appendix B
Statutory consultation checklists.
- Appendix C
Biodiversity Assessment Report.
- Appendix D
Surface Water Assessment.
- Appendix E
Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment.
- Appendix F
Groundwater Assessment.
- Appendix G
Preliminary Site Investigation.
- Appendix H
Traffic Modelling report.
- Appendix I
Construction and Operational Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment.
- Appendix J
Stage 1 PACHCI Assessment and Native Title Searches.
- Appendix K
Heritage Database Searches – Non-Aboriginal.
- Appendix L
Socio-economic Impact Assessment.