The Pacific Highway upgrade between the Oxley Highway and Kempsey will provide 37.8 kilometres of four lane divided carriageway upgrade of the highway between the Oxley Highway at Port Macquarie and the Kempsey bypass.  Access to the highway would be controlled.

Planning for the Oxley Highway to Kempsey upgrade is funded by the Federal and NSW governments.

Current activities

• A submissions report details the submissions received during the display and responds to issues raised during the environmental assessment phase is now available.  This report has been forwarded to the NSW Department of Planning and the Oxley Highway to Kempsey upgrade is now being considered for project approval by the NSW Department of Planning.
• Geotechnical investigations are continuing and property acquisition negotiations have commenced.  

Benefits 

• Improve highway safety.
• Reduce travel times and improve travel efficiency.
• Improve air quality.
• Reduce noise impact.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption.
• Improve local access.

Key features

• Approximately 37 kilometres of four lane dual carriageway with a wide median to allow for a future upgrade to six lanes when required.
• Access at interchanges and traffic arrangements.
• A bypass of Telegraph Point. Access to and from Telegraph Point would be via a new interchange in the area of Blackmans Point Road south of Telegraph Point, and a half interchange in the area of Haydons Wharf Road north of Telegraph Point.
• Overpasses provided south of Sancrox Road, Bill Hill Road, Mingaletta Road, Wharf Road, Kundabung Road and for access to Maria River State Forest.
• New major bridge structures for the Hastings River and Wilson River crossings, and the crossing of the North Coast Railway Line to the north of the Wilson River.
• Smaller bridges for a number of creek crossings.
• North and southbound rest areas for light and heavy vehicles in the vicinity of Mingaletta Road.
• The existing highway maintained and used as a service road for local traffic.