Alstonville Bypass - Bruxner Highway

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.

The project

The NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) will manage construction of 6.6 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.

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:

• A direct entry/exit point to Kays Lane to be provided to the bypass, via a new service road.
• Entry and exit to Rifle Range Road will be via a service road connecting to Sneaths Road.
• The bypass has been extended to join Sneaths Road.
• Stormwater wetlands have been replaced with retention/sedimentation 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

Land acquisition

All land required for the project has been acquired by the RTA.

Detailed design

Detailed design has been completed.

Pre-construction activities

Utility adjustments, including relocation of electricity, water mains, sewer and Telstra services have been completed.

The RTA is progressing the seed collection, translocation of the veiny lace flower and other environmental requirements for the project in advance of calling tenders.

Community involvement

Community input involving a wide range of activities contributing to the detailed design and construction of the Alstonville Bypass has occurred.
These activities have included:

• Issuing community updates.
• Listening to community views.
• Asking for community comment on specific proposals and detailed design such as landscaping and urban design.
• Liaising with directly affected landowners. 

What happens next?

The RTA is currently preparing documentation to call tenders for construction.  Tenders will be called later this year with the bypass expected to be open to traffic around the end of 2010.

Further inquiries

Please contact the RTA project manager: Lindsay Nash
Email: Lindsay_Nash@rta.nsw.gov.au

Phone: 131 782

RTA Postal Address:

PO Box 576,
Grafton, NSW 2460