Motorists will be celebrating today as the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade hits another major milestone with 15 kilometres of dual carriageway opening between Mororo and Devils Pulpit.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the final link in the Pacific Highway upgrade, the country's largest regional road infrastructure project, was now on the home stretch.
"This project is duplicating the highway between Hexham and the Queensland border to deliver smoother, faster and more reliable journeys for all road users right up and down the East Coast," Mr McCormack said.
"Since the Pacific Highway upgrade program started 20 years ago, we've already seen the number of fatal crashes on the highway annually more than halve. We're looking forward to seeing even more journeys transformed as it remains on track to hit the finish line later this year."
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the new section of four-lane divided highway meant the Pacific Highway upgrade is now 91 per cent complete.
"We're already seeing travel time reductions of about two hours, and that's only going to get even better as we continue to open up more sections," Mr Toole said.
"This multi-generational project has also been critical for our regional communities, with the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade alone creating more than 3,000 jobs and injecting millions into local economies."
Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the opening of the latest section meant the team has opened 63 kilometres to dual carriageway this year alone, improving travel times, local access and connectivity for road users.
"The Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade continues to deliver for the local community, maintaining jobs and supporting suppliers," Mr Hogan said.
"Permanent facilities have been completed at the new southbound rest area near Mororo, providing motorists with toilets, shaded benches, and plenty of parking for heavy and light vehicles."
NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads and Infrastructure and Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said the upgrade would make a difference to local communities, and tourist and freight operators who use the Pacific Highway to travel between Brisbane and Sydney.
"Road users are also driving past 20 fauna connectivity structures in the new section, which help animals cross the highway upgrade safely," Mr Gulaptis said
"Three bridges along the route have been built to reduce impacts to the breeding season for threatened fish species including the Oxleyan Pygmy Perch, one of the many threatened species being protected on the upgrade.
"There will also be more changes in September, with the opening of seven kilometres between Harwood and Mororo to dual carriageway followed by two kilometres between Maclean and Harwood. Once this section opens, dual carriageway will extend about 74 kilometres from Glenugie to Devils Pulpit."
Electronic message signs will provide wayfinding information and motorists should be aware of traffic management and reduced speed limits while work continues to build the upgrade.
