The Woolgoolga to Ballina project would upgrade about 155 kilometres of highway.  The project starts approximately six kilometres north of Woolgoolga (north of Coffs Harbour) and ends approximately six kilometres south of Ballina.

The upgrade does not include the Glenugie and Devils Pulipit sections of highway that are soon to start or under construction.

Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) has formed a project team alliance with Sinclair Knight Merz and Aurecon to:

• Review and refine the concept designs for the four previously developed projects.
• Combine the four previously developed projects into one overall upgrade design.
• Confirm land acquisition needs and begin the process with landowners willing to initiate negotiations.
• Undertake an environmental impact assessment of the project.

Display of refined concept design

A refined concept design has been prepared and went on display for comment in November 2011. This design included a number of refinements to the previous concept designs discussed with the community.

Benefits

• Improved road safety.
• Uninterrupted highway traffic flow.
• Easy access on and off the highway for local traffic.

Key features

• The project involves upgrading approximately 155 kilometres of the Pacific Highway on the north Coast of NSW to a four lane dual carriageway, grade separated interchanges and a service road for local traffic.
• Ten grade separated interchanges to provide safe access onto the highway in each direction.
• Major bridges crossing the Clarence and Richmond rivers.
• Wildlife crossings to encourage animals to travel over and under the upgraded highway.
• 1 in 20 year minimum flood immunity across the major floodplains and 1 in 100 year minimum flood immunity across the remaining areas.