The project

The $618 million Kempsey bypass project involves building a 14.5 kilometre four-lane divided highway with bypasses of Kempsey and Frederickton.

The bypass is the first stage of the approved 40 kilometre Kempsey to Eungai upgrade.

Construction started in July 2010. The project is scheduled to open to traffic by mid 2013.

Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) has formed an alliance with Leighton Contractors, AECOM and Coffey Geotechnics to design and construct the Kempsey bypass.

Abigroup were announced as the preferred tenderer to design and build the 3.2 kilometre bridge which will cross the Macleay River and floodplain and is an important part of the Kempsey bypass project.

The project is funded through the Australian government's Building Australia Fund.

Benefits  

• Improved road safety.
• Uninterrupted highway traffic flow.
• Increased reliability and better travel times.

Key features

• Construction of a 14.5 kilometre four-lane divided highway to the east of Kempsey.
• Bypasses of Kempsey and Frederickton.
• Interchanges at South Kempsey and Frederickton.
• A bridge totalling 3.2 kilometres over the Macleay River and floodplain at Frogmore.
• Local road overpasses at Old Station Road, Inches Road and Crescent Head Road.

A range of flood mitigation activities that include:

• House raising.
• Stock mounds.
• Flood compensatory works.
• Construction of a levee wall at Frederickton to improve flooding outcomes for the area.