Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is currently planning to identify a preferred route option for an additional crossing of the Clarence River at Grafton. The NSW Government is funding these investigations.

The existing crossing of the Clarence River at Grafton was opened to traffic in 1932. It is a combined rail and road structure. The current approaches to the bridge are generally four lanes that merge into a two-lane bridge.

The crossing carries an average weekday volume of 27,000 vehicles (2009) and experiences long queues and delays during morning and afternoon peaks.

The local community has been advocating for a second crossing for many years to improve traffic flow in the centre of Grafton and reduce congestion.

What's happening now?

Six short-listed options have been identified for further investigation. View the January 2012 community update. The Preliminary Route Option Report - Final (January 2012) is available on the project documents page of this website.

Interactive maps have been updated with the short list of options, click here.

Investigations on the short-listed options are progressing, including field survey work, geotechnical investigations, flora and fauna studies, urban character and landscape studies and examination of Aboriginal and/or non-Aboriginal heritage. Traffic modelling, flood modelling and noise modelling are also being undertaken on the options.

The investigations will be reported in the Route Options Development Report (RODR).

Project displays

Display panels showing a map of the short-listed options and describing the process from here have been placed at key locations in Grafton and surrounds. These panels are available on the project documents page.

To find a static (unstaffed) display near you, please view the locations listed below:

• Roads and Maritime Services Pacific Highway Office, 21 Prince Street, Grafton
• Roads and Maritime Services Motor Registry Office, 3 King Street, Grafton
• Roads and Maritime Services Regional Office, 31 Victoria Street, Grafton
• Grafton Council Chambers and Grafton Library, 2 Prince Street, Grafton
• Ulmarra Petrol Station/Post Office, Pacific Highway, Ulmarra
• Newman's News agency, 38 Skinner Street, South Grafton
• General Store Coutts Crossing, Armidale Road, Coutts Crossing
• Junction Hill Family Store, 5 Casino Road, Junction Hill
• Maclean Council Office, 50 River Street, Maclean
• Yamba Library, Wooli Street, Yamba

Further staffed displays and community forums will be held in 2012. Please watch this website for updated information on when and where these will occur.