Tunnelling is now complete on the Coffs Harbour Bypass, marking another milestone for the $2.2 billion project.
Blasting crews have completed the 160-metre Roberts Hill tunnel, the third and final tunnel on the transformational project. It joins the 320-metre Shephards Lane tunnel and the 410-metre Gatelys Road tunnel. The massive excavation effort saw half a million tonnes of rock removed using 280 tonnes of explosives across 570 controlled blasts.
With all three tunnels now broken through, work will shift to preparing them for traffic. This includes installing drainage systems and laying road pavement.
In late July, the new Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge was completed, one of the first major structures of the Coffs Harbour project to be opened to the public.
Before the first cars drive through in late 2026, each tunnel will be fitted with sophisticated mechanical, electrical, fire, safety and electronic signage.
Each tunnel will contain two traffic lanes plus a bicycle lane, with tunnel portals that blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
When complete, the bypass will allow motorists on the Pacific Highway to skip up to 12 sets of traffic lights, cutting 12 minutes off travel times, and will remove thousands of vehicles and trucks from Coffs Harbour’s CBD streets.
This project has seen over 600 direct jobs created during construction, as well as more than 12,000 indirect jobs.
The Federal Government has committed $1.76 billion and the NSW Government $440 million to this $2.2 billion project.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King, said that this is a massive milestone reached in the Coffs Harbour Bypass.
”This project will transform this local area and help remove thousands of cars and heavy vehicles from CBD streets,” King said.
“When we were last in government, then Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese, oversaw the construction of the Kempsey bypass and key road upgrades. It is fantastic to now see this project near completion.
“This project has been a long-time coming, but it is making good progress and will transform Coffs Harbour once complete.
NSW Minister for Roads Minister, Jenny Aitchison, said that the Coffs Harbour Bypass project has strong support from the State Government and it’s exciting to see it getting closer.
“There are already cars driving on new parts of road around the city and there are more sections opening every month,” Aitchison said.
“We remind motorists to drive carefully around roadworks and be patient as the team works hard to deliver this transformational project for the city, and for everyone driving along the Pacific Highway.”
NSW Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin, said that the breakthrough at Roberts Hill is yet another magnificent milestone for the hundreds of workers delivering the project, and for the people of Coffs Harbour who are looking forward to seeing it complete.
“As a long-time resident of the NSW North Coast region, I know what a difference this will make to those who call it home,” Saffin said.
“I look forward to driving through each of these tunnels once the bypass is open.”
To find more further progress updates, visit nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/projects/coffs-harbour-bypass
