Motorists can look forward to even smoother journeys on the Pacific Highway with concrete slab replacement work now under way at Banora Point.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the $900,000 project to improve the road surface on a 2.6-kilometre section of the motorway near the Queensland border would deliver more reliable journeys for the 70,000 vehicles that use the road every day.
“The Pacific Highway upgrade – the country’s biggest ever regional road project to duplicate the 657-kilometre stretch between Hexham and the Queensland border – crossed the finish line in December after more than 20 years, $15 billion and more than 40,000 people on the job,” Mr Toole said.
“We’re now turning our attention to older sections of the road to ensure it continues to serve future generations, and this particular section we’re now working on has been used by millions of vehicles since it opened to traffic in 1992.
“This concrete replacement work is being carried out to ensure the motorway continues to provide safe and smooth journeys for locals, travellers and freight vehicles for many years to come.”
Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said the Pacific Highway upgrade had already proved a game changer for entire communities right up and down the coast, with the number of fatalities reduced by more than 75 per cent since work began to make the entire length a four-lane dual carriageway, and travel times cut by 2.5 hours.
“I’m proud that the NSW Government continues to invest in vital road infrastructure projects like this because they make a real difference to the everyday lives of locals,” Mr Provest said.
“Work to remove and replace the concrete slabs at Banora Point will be carried out on the northbound and southbound lanes of the highway between Darlington Drive and Terranora Creek Bridge, with at least one lane in each direction open to traffic at all times.
“This project will not only improve journeys for all motorists, it will also help sustain 15 local jobs and provide employment for two local contractors.”
Transport for NSW crews started earlier this week and will be working from 6pm to 3am from Sunday to Thursday to reduce impact to road users, with the project expected to be completed by the end of June, weather permitting.