Background

The NSW Minister for Planning approved the Ballina bypass project on 22 May 2003.

The $640 million Ballina bypass project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.

The project will provide 12 kilometres of dual carriageway, extending from 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 northern end of the project from Cumbalum to Ross Lane was opened in March 2011. The section from Cumbalum to Teven Road opened to traffic on Tuesday 29 November 2011. The southbound lanes from Teven to Bruxner opened on Tuesday 20 December 2011. The next traffic switch at the southern end of the project is planned for January 2012, weather permitting.

For more information on the project background, view the project overview page.

Key construction activities during January 2012

• Commence final pavement and sealing works for the new Bruxner Highway alignment.
• Complete finishing works including signage installation, guard rail and wire rope, street lighting, line marking and landscaping works on the new Bruxner Highway alignment and open to traffic in early 2012.
• Commence Ballina Rest Area construction including the site office demobilisation.
• Complete kerbing works on north and southbound merge lanes just north of the Bruxner Highway intersection.
• Complete work on Bruxner Highway intersection.
• Continue wick drain works and subsequent placement of surcharge material adjacent to the newly constructed bridge over Emigrant Creek adjacent to the intersections of the Bruxner and Pacific Highways.
• Complete sealing and SMA works on the concrete pavement north of Cumbalum.

For more information on recent and upcoming construction activities, view the project construction page.