Background

A program of safety improvement works has been developed as part of the Australian and NSW governments $5.14 billion commitment to upgrade the Pacific Highway over the next five years to mid 2014 as part of the Nation Building Program and the Building Australia Fund.

While most of this funding will be directed to upgrading the highway to dual carriageway, there is a need to address road safety and traffic issues on sections of two-lane highway that is not being upgraded to dual carriageway as part of the current five year program.

A package of smaller works is being delivered to keep these sections safe and serviceable until upgrades can be completed. This work is also aimed at reducing the delays caused by local and major flood events.

Key construction activities during 2012

Swan Creek Village access improvements

Safety improvements to the village include:

• Realignment of the approach road.
• Closure of existing approaches.
• Replacement of fencing along eastern side of highway.
• Improved sight line to the north from the side road.

Harwood Bridge to Farlows Flat

The project is designed to reduce the time that the road is closed in flood events. The work involves:

• Raising the highway south of the interchange by up to one metre to reduce closure time on the highway during flooding.
• Widening the road shoulders to improve safety.
• Changes to the layout of the interchange for motorists travelling to and from Maclean and Yamba.
• Longer acceleration and deceleration lanes that will provide a smoother and safer highway connection for both local and highway users.

Ongoing works

Blackadder Creek Corner - 800 metre length

Safety improvements to this section of the highway include:

• Central wire rope safety barrier within a 2 metre wide median.
• Widening travel lanes to 3.5 metres.
• Sealed 2.5 metre shoulders.
• Raising pavement levels to minimise highway closures due to flooding.
• Improved alignment.

Completed works

Shark Creek stage  – 3km in length

Shark Creek stage 3 including:

• Widening enhanced centerline and shoulder widening where possible.
• Horizontal realignment.
• Pavement reconstruction with consideration to reduce impact on flooding.
• Removal of overhead hazards within the clear zone.
• Investigate the removal of 150mm diameter water trunk main from within the road formation if required, to improve pavement reconstruction.

These safety improvement works were completed in February 2011.

Pine Road Stage 1 - 800m in length

Safety improvements to this section of the two lane highway included:

• Realign existing curve.
• Widen existing travel lanes to 3.5 metres.
• Widen shoulders to 2.5 metres.
• 2 metre central median (provision for future wire rope safety barrier).
• Pavement reconstruction.
• Drainage improvements and culvert widening.

These safety improvements were completed in June 2008.

Broadwater Tip corner realignment

Broadwater Tip corner realignment including:

• Widening of the existing two-lane road to 2 metre shoulders and 3.5 metre lanes.
• Extend the overtaking lane by 500 metres to the north.
• Part pavement rehabilitation.
• Improve the horizontal alignment to 600 metres radius at the curve.

These safety improvement works were completed in October 2010.

Turners Road - 1.75 km in length

This project has improved pavement conditions, road alignment and provided physical separation of traffic to address fatigue related head on crashes.
Safety improvements include:

• Widening the road formation to 14 metres.
• Widening travel lanes to 3.5 metres.
• 2 metre wide painted central median
• Wire rope safety barrier within central median.
• Improved pavement conditions.
• Improve alignment.

These safety improvements were completed in March 2007. 

Nortons Road - 2.44 km in length

This section of two lane highway was widened to include a central median, overtaking lane and seal shoulders.

Safety improvements included:

• Widening travel lanes to 3.5 metres.
• Sealed 2.5 metres wide shoulders.
• 2 metre wide central median.
• Wire rope safety barrier within central median.
• Pavement rehabilitation.
• Two turn around bays to provide local access.
• Road widening to include 1.7 km overtaking lane.
• Improved alignment.
• Line marking.

Bald Knob - 1.96 km in length

Safety improvement to this section of two lane highway include:

• 2 metre sealed shoulders.
• Widening travel lanes to 3.5 metre.
• Installation of a right turn treatment. Improved drainage.
• 2.5 metre sealed shoulders.
• Enhanced line marking of centreline and shoulders.

These safety improvements were completed in May 2007.

Vehicle regulations inspection bays

Bald Knob

• Upgrade of existing northbound heavy vehicle inspection bay.