Alstonville Bypass - Bruxner Highway

The contract for construction of the Alstonville Bypass was awarded to Reed Constructions Australia Pty Ltd.

The project

The NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) is managing construction of the 6.2 kilometre Bruxner Highway bypass at Alstonville and Wollongbar. The bypass will commence at Sneaths Road, Wollongbar and rejoin the highway at the Tropical Fruit Research Station at Perrys Hill, east of Alstonville.

Background

In 1996 the RTA commenced formal route selection and environmental assessment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was prepared and placed on public display in 1998. The project was approved by the Minister for Planning on 27 February 2003.

In the 2008 budget, the Australian Government committed $90 million over three years for construction of the Alstonville Bypass project.  This is in addition to the $12 million previously provided by the Australian Government towards project planning and pre-construction.

Project details

The purpose of the bypass is to separate through and local traffic. Currently, about half of the highway traffic in Alstonville is not travelling to or from Alstonville / Wollongbar. The number of entry and exit points has been designed to accommodate existing and future land use and travel patterns. Some changes to the original proposal have been developed since the exhibition of the EIS. These include:

• Direct access to the Russellton Industrial Estate to be provided to the bypass, via an interchange at Kays Lane. 
• Access to Rifle Range Road and Wollongbar will be provided from the existing highway alignment connected to Sneaths Road via a service road.
• Stormwater wetlands have been replaced with retention basins.

Project benefits

The Alstonville Bypass will provide significant benefits including:

• Quicker journey times for local and through traffic.
• Better traffic flow and safety along the existing highway.
• Reduced through traffic and congestion in Alstonville and Wollongbar.
• Reduced waiting times at intersections along the existing highway.
• Better pedestrian access and safety in Alstonville and Wollongbar.

Current position

Substantial construction activities on the Alstonville Bypass have commenced.

The first work to be undertaken includes partial tree clearing, removal of topsoil, earthworks including excavation of the storm water detention ponds and some drainage works.  Reed Construction, plans to carry out these earthworks at two separate locations:

• 1. From the “eastern tie-in” on the Ballina side of Teven Road to Wardell Road.
• 2. A section of the bypass about 500 metres west of Wardell Road.

The next area to be impacted by construction activities will be in the Kays Lane vicinity where significant earth fill will be required to construct the interchange ramps.

These early construction activities are not expected to have an impact on the highway or Wardell Road traffic flow.

Construction will be undertaken Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm and Saturday, 8am to 1pm.  Nearby residents will be advised of any work occurring outside these normal construction hours.

Temporary traffic controls and reduced speed limits will be in operation. Motorists are required to obey all signs and directions to help ensure the safety of workers and other road users.

Enquiries and complaints procedure

Please contact the project team if you have any enquiries or complaints by:

• Phone (toll free) on 1800 074588
• Post to PO Box 360, Alstonville NSW 2477
• Email to avbp@reedgroup.com.au 
• Visit the display centre located adjacent to Alstonville tennis courts off Kays Lane. The centre will open in May and operate Monday to Friday, 8am to 3.30pm.

Further inquiries

Please contact the RTA project manager: Shane Green
Email: Shane_Green@rta.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 131 782
RTA Postal Address: PO Box 576, Grafton, NSW 2460