Ballina bypass could be finished by 2012
The opening of the Ballina bypass interchange between the Bruxner Highway turn-off and the Cumbalum interchange is predicted to occur in 2012, after the Australian and NSW governments reaffirmed their commitment to the joint upgrade of the Pacific Highway with the official announcement of the start of preliminary site work on the Ballina bypass project.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese and NSW Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal have announced that work had begun on establishing the site office and construction area at Teven Road and Ross Lane for the construction of the Ballina bypass upgrade.
Construction teams will then begin clearing the site, the installation of erosion and sediment controls and fencing next month.
“Thanks to $100 million delivered in the Rudd Labor Government’s first budget, construction on this project will begin at least 12 months earlier than scheduled,” Mr Albanese said.
“The Ballina bypass project is 12.4km long and will extend from the south of Ballina at the intersection of the Bruxner and Pacific highways to north of Ballina at the intersection of Ross Lane at Tintenbar.
“The bypass will be significantly shorter than the current 19km route through Ballina and will offer a travel time saving up to 12 minutes for Pacific Highway traffic.
“It will deliver significant improvements in road safety, providing an improved alignment at Tintenbar Hill, removal of the high-speed traffic out of Ballina township and separate Bruxner Highway traffic from the Pacific Highway traffic.
“The Rudd Labor Government has committed to invest $2.45 billion in upgrading this critical piece of national infrastructure – three times what the previous government allocated over a similar period of time.”
Mr Roozendaal said the bypass would reduce traffic congestion by directing highway vehicles away from seven roundabouts, a set of traffic lights, numerous minor intersections and a 60 km speed zone.
“Long lead times are required to stabilise soft soil sections of the Richmond River before the main pavement can be constructed,” he said.
The project will be opened in stages which will be:
Opening of the Cumbalum to Ross Lane section by late 2010
Opening of the Bruxner Highway to Cumbalum interchange by mid 2012.
Further information is available from the Pacific Highway section of the RTA website at http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au
