It’s taken more than 20 years, $15 billion and more than 40,000 people on the job – and now the
country’s biggest regional road project has hit the finish line, with the final section of the Pacific
Highway upgrade between Woolgoolga and Ballina opening to traffic today.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael
McCormack said the 15-kilometre section opening between Devils Pulpit and Woodburn marked the
final link in the 657-kilometre Pacific Highway duplication between Hexham and the Queensland
border.
“This project is already delivering safer, quicker journeys right up and down the coast and we’re going
to see even greater dividends having honoured our commitment to open to two lanes each way by
the end of 2020,” the Deputy Prime Minister.
“Improving safety has always been the driving force behind the upgrade and we have already seen
fatalities drop by more than 75 per cent since work began to make the entire length a four-lane dual
carriageway.
“It’s been a remarkable, history-making project and I look forward to seeing this downward trend
continue in years to come as we work towards a zero road toll.”
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the project has delivered
an enduring legacy for the state and nation, while being a major investment driver into regional
communities during its construction.
“The Pacific Highway upgrade created more than 3000 jobs during the peak of the Woolgoolga to
Ballina project alone, injecting millions into local economies at a time when it was needed most,” Mr
Toole said.
“Many indirect jobs were also created, improving productivity and economic growth right up and
down the east coast of NSW, while contributing to the long-term upskilling of the workforce.
“Thousands of workers can now drive this highway, knowing they’ve helped deliver one of the most
important road upgrades in our State’s history and ensure safer, faster trips right along the North
Coast.”
Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said while the project started in response to a horrific crash in
Cowper in 1989, it had become much more than just a safety upgrade.
“The positive impacts of the project will continue to be felt right along the NSW North Coast,
transforming tourism, freight and local journeys into smoother, and more reliable ones, which is
critical for our local economies,” Mr Hogan said.
“This key piece of infrastructure will contribute to a stronger and more prosperous region by ensuring
products can get to where they need to be quickly – something we have seen become especially
important this year.”
State Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said the completion of the Pacific Highway upgrade was
perfectly timed to serve the recent boom in regional tourism by improving access along the entire
length of the coast.
“The Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade will transform holiday journeys this festive season, bypassing five
towns and providing a safer and more reliable road to complement the expected increase in domestic
travel,” Mr Gulaptis said.
“We’ve installed the largest directional signs in NSW to showcase what each of our bypassed towns
along the Pacific Highway have to offer, so I would love even more people to visit our region and check
out what they have to offer.”
Minor finishing works will be carried out along sections of the Pacific Highway into the New Year. The
Australian and NSW governments jointly funded the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade
on an 80:20 basis.