Pacific Highway upgrade
Old Coast Road bridge looking south towards the Philip Hughes Bridge over the Nambucca River, near Macksville
Achievement report December 2017 and January 2018
1Roads and Maritime Services Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018
of highway being built
The total number of workers includes workers on site for the Pacific Highway upgrade projects contained in this report, and workers on site preparing for work not yet reported on.
Pacific Highway upgrade
Overview of the upgrade
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
workers on site2980
about 80% of highway length now four lane divided road
134km
This report will provide you with information about Pacific Highway upgrade projects, including the current status and key activities.
As of 31 January 2018, 523 kilometres are four lane divided road and about 134 kilometres are being built. The remaining sections of two lane highway are being prepared for major work. Fourteen kilometres of the Warrell Creek to Nambucca Heads section of the upgrade opened to traffic in December.
About 80 per cent of the final highway length is now four lane divided road.
Murwillumbah
Tweed Heads
Ballina
Grafton
Co s Harbour
Port Macquarie
Newcastle
Maclean
Glenugie
Halfway CreekWoolgoolga
Urunga
Nambucca HeadsMacksville
Kempsey
Kundabung
Taree
TuncurryForster
Bulahdelah
HexhamRaymond Terrace
Karuah
Woodburn
Lismore
Byron Bay
M1
Upgrade completed to dual carriageway
Upgrade approved and/or route being prepared for construction
Under construction
LEGEND
2
The remaining 11 kilometres of the Pacific Highway still to be upgraded to four lane divided road between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour are being built.
Five projects worth more than $3.3 billion are either being built or opened to traffic. The 26 kilometre Frederickton to Eungai project opened to traffic in May 2016 and the Nambucca Heads to Urunga project in July 2016. The 14 kilometre Kundabung to Kempsey project opened to four lanes in October 2017, 18 kilometres of the Oxley Highway to Kundabung section opened in November and 14 kilometres of the Warrell Creek to Nambucca Heads section opened in December. The remaining sections will open to traffic from mid 2018, weather permitting.
The summaries on the following pages outline progress in completing this section of the Pacific Highway upgrade, including key building activities.
Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services
3Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services
BackgroundThe Oxley Highway to Kundabung project is the southern section of the Oxley Highway to Kempsey upgrade, which was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning and Infrastructure in 2012 and the Federal Department of the Environment in January 2014. The project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments. It involves building 23 kilometres of four lane divided road, including bridges over the Hastings and Wilson rivers.
Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour
Project snapshot
Contractors: Lendlease
Form of contract: Design and build
Workers on site: 177
Pieces of large machinery: 36
Start date of major construction: October 2014
Expected completion date: 18km opened in 2017, remaining 5km to open to dual carriageway in early 2018
Project value: $820 million
Australian Government contribution: $542.4 million*
NSW State Government contribution: $277.6 million*
*Contribution amounts may vary from year to year
Oxley Highway to KundabungMacksville
Warrell Creek
Eungai
Frederickton
Kundabung
Port Macquarie
OxleyHighway
Kempsey
Nambucca Heads
Urunga
Co�s Harbour
Key activities/progress in December 2017 and January 2018• increased speed limit to 110 km/hr between the Oxley
Highway interchange and Haydons Wharf Road in December
• continued installing boundary and fauna exclusion fencing
• completed all bridge work for the project
• continued at house noise treatment for noise affected properties
• continued the final stages of earthwork and concrete paving through the Cooperabung Range
• completed finishing work on the permanent Variable Message Sign for southbound traffic at Cooperabung.
pieces of large machinery on site 36workers
on site
lost to wet weather
177days
about
complete94%5
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Oxley Highway to Kundabung
4Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services
Oxley Highway to Kundabung
Final linemarking for the northbound on ramp, Oxley Highway interchange
Final seal placed on the old highway, now renamed Telegraph Point Road
Fauna exclusion fence to prevent wildlife entering the southbound carriageway, at Cooperabung cutting
Paving concrete sub base for the new southbound lanes at Cooperabung cutting
Final finishing work for a fauna crossing culvert in Cooperabung Range
Placing a base concrete infill section with a paver near Yarrabee Rd, Cooperabung Hill.
Roads and Maritime Services
Oxley Highway to Kundabung
5Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Macksville
Warrell Creek
Eungai
Frederickton
Kundabung
Port Macquarie
OxleyHighway
Kempsey
Nambucca Heads
Urunga
Co�s Harbour
pieces of large machinery on site
workers on site Open to1095
Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour
Project snapshot
Contractors: McConnell Dowell-OHL Joint Venture
Form of contract: Build only
Workers on site: 95
Pieces of large machinery: 10
Start date of major construction: November 2014
Expected completion date: fully open from October 2017
Project value: $230 million
Australian Government contribution: $115 million*
NSW State Government contribution: $115 million*
*Contribution amounts may vary from year to year
BackgroundThe Kundabung to Kempsey project is the northern section of the Oxley Highway to Kempsey upgrade, which was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning and Infrastructure in 2012 and the Federal Department of the Environment in January 2014. The project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments. The 14 kilometre Kundabung to Kempsey project was fully opened to traffic in October, 2017.
Key activities/progress in December 2017 and January 2018 • opened the northbound rest area at Barrys Creek
(north of Telegraph Point) on 14 December 2017 in time for the Christmas holidays
• continued ancillary works on side roads
• continue monitoring nest boxes and fauna connectivity structures
• continued finishing work along the alignment.
Kundabung to Kempsey
lost to wet weather
days 2
Kundabung to Kempsey
traffic
OPEN TO TRAFFIC
Roads and Maritime Services6
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018
Kundabung to Kempsey
Barrys Creek rest areas looking north
Nest boxes are being monitored for use by tree dwelling fauna
New highway open to traffic, looking south from Kundabung interchange bridge
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services7
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour
Project snapshot
Contractors: Pacifico (Acciona Ferrovial joint venture)
Form of contract: Design and build
Workers on site: 313
Pieces of large machinery: 47
Start date of major construction: December 2014
Expected completion date: 14 km Macksville and Nambucca Heads bypass opened late 2017, remaining 6 km to open by mid 2018 (weather permitting)
Project value: $830 million
Australian Government contribution: $415 million*
NSW State Government contribution: $415 million*
*Contribution amounts may vary from year to year
Warrell Creek to Nambucca Heads
Macksville
Warrell Creek
Eungai
Frederickton
Kundabung
Port Macquarie
OxleyHighway
Kempsey
Nambucca Heads
Urunga
Co�s Harbour
Key activities/progress in December 2017 and January 2018 • opened to traffic 14 kilometres bypass of Macksville
and Nambucca Heads on 18 December
• held a community open day with around 5000 people walking across the newly named Philip Hughes Bridge over the Nambucca River
BackgroundThe Warrell Creek to Nambucca Heads project is the second stage of the Warrell Creek to Urunga upgrade, which was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning and Infrastructure in 2011. The Federal Department of the Environment approved this upgrade in December 2014. The project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments. The 20 kilometre project involves upgrading the existing highway to a four lane divided road between the Allgomera deviation, south of Warrell Creek and Nambucca Heads, just south of the North Coast railway line where it will join the Nambucca Heads to Urunga upgrade.
pieces of large machinery on site 47workers
on site
lost to wet weather
313days
about
complete92%11Warrell Creek to
Nambucca Heads
• opened the railway overpass at the southern end of the project to trains on 4 December
• opened to traffic Cockburns Lane bridge
• continued steel fixing on Williamson Creek bridge to prepare for pouring concrete decks
• continued earthwork and drainage between the Upper Warrell Creek bridge and Cockburns Lane
• poured the deck and slabs and started installing parapets on the Upper Warrell Creek bridge
• continued general fill at the Bald Hill Road roundabout and bus turnaround
• continued work on the Williamson Creek noise mound
• continued asphalt paving, gutter and concrete drain work on the service road at the southern interchange.
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services8
Warrell Creek to Nambucca Heads
Installing concrete kerb on the service road near Browns Crossing Road
Landscape planting at the Bald Hill Road roundabout Installing highway signs on the Nambucca flood plain
The railway overpass, looking south People walking on the Philip Hughes bridge over the Nambucca River, looking north
Installing scour protection rock at Upper Warrell Creek
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services9
The 155 kilometre upgrade between Woolgoolga and Ballina is the last highway link between Hexham and the Queensland border to be upgraded to four lanes.
Roads and Maritime Services’ Pacific Highway Project Office, Pacific Complete and its contractor partners are working together to deliver the project. The delivery partner model is based on the approach used to oversee construction of infrastructure for the London Olympics and supports collaboration and innovation by bringing businesses, workers, consumers and suppliers together. It encourages the best ideas and solutions from the private sector while also drawing on Roads and Maritime’s knowledge to ensure better engineering and design, customer outcomes and public value.
Woolgoolga to Ballina
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services10
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Woolgoolga to Ballina
Woolgoolga to Ballina
Coolgardie Roadto Ballina Bypass
Richmond Riverto Coolgardie Road
National ParkBroadwater
to Richmond River
Trustums Hill toBroadwater National Park
Devils Pulpit upgradeto Trustums Hill
Iluka Road toDevils Pulpit upgrade
Maclean to Iluka Road
Tyndale to Maclean
Glenugie upgrade to Tyndale
Glenugie upgrade
Halfway Creek to Glenugie upgrade
Halfway Creek upgrade
Woolgoolga to Halfway Creek
Devils Pulpit upgrade
Glenugie
Halfway Creek
Arrawarra
Tyndale
Maclean
Harwood
Woodburn
Devils Pulpit
Wardell
PimlicoTeven
Ballina
Grafton
Woolgoolga
Upgrade completed to dual carriagewayUpgrade approved and/or route being prepared for constructionUnder construction
LEGEND
• completed two bridges at Mororo five months ahead of program
• poured first three concrete bridge pier columns for Richmond River bridge
• started earthwork on bulk material removal near Maclean.
Environment• threatened species mobile phone app rolled out
for project staff to record and map sightings of threatened animal species in real time
• installed seven static and six vehicle activated safety signs to protect koalas.
Stakeholder and Community Engagement• implemented wide-reaching Facebook campaigns
to raise project awareness
• launched the GPS traffic map on the Roads and Maritime website for the community to track oversized truck movements
• hosted the first project awareness stall at the Ballina Markets in January.
BackgroundThe $4.36 billion Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning in June 2014 and the Federal Minister for the Environment in August 2014. The 155 kilometre project will provide a four lane divided road from the northern end of the Woolgoolga Bypass to the southern end of the Ballina Bypass. The project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
Procurement• assessing five drainage construction packages for
the section of highway from Maclean to Iluka Road.
Highway ConstructionOverview• construction work is underway along the entire
Woolgoolga to Ballina alignment (with the exception of 3 kilometers at Glenugie)
• clearing started between Devils Pulpit and Trustums Hill in January 2018.
Successes / Achievements for December and January• piling for bridge construction is almost complete
from Glenugie to Maclean
total workers*2,400
* including workers not on site working across the whole Woolgoolga to Ballina project
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services11
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Woolgoolga to Ballina
Project snapshot
Contractors: OHL and York joint venture
Form of contract: Build only
Workers on site: 58
Pieces of large machinery: 65
Start date of major construction: June 2015
Expected completion date: Opened October 2017
Project value: Forms part of the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade
Woolgoolga to Halfway Creek
Ballina
Byron Bay
Lismore
Murwillumbah
Tweed Heads
Maclean
Woodburn
Broadwater
Devils Pulpit
Newcastle
Karuah
Hexham
Raymond Terrace
Bulahdelah
ForsterTuncurry
Taree
Kundabung
Kempsey
Port Macquarie
MacksvilleNambucca Heads
Urunga
Cos Harbour
Woolgoolga
Glenugie
Halfway Creek
Grafton
M1
Key activities/progress in December 2017 and January 2018• opened Arrawarra rest area to the public
• opened project to dual carriageway
• continued landscape work
• continued minor fencing work
• completed installing signs on Eggins Drive
• continued line marking on Eggins Drive and Kangaroo Trail Road
• started resealing work on the service road north of Range Road.
BackgroundThe Woolgoolga to Halfway Creek project – the first section of the overall Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade – opened to traffic in October 2017 and links the Sapphire to Woolgoolga project in the south and the existing Halfway Creek upgrade in the north, providing about 14 kilometres of divided road. The key features of the Woolgoolga to Halfway Creek upgrade include a 300 metre long twin bridge over the Corindi River floodplain to allow flood waters to pass under the highway and bridges over the highway at Sherwood Creek Road and Kangaroo Trail Road for local road access.
pieces of large machinery on site 65workers
on site
lost to wet weather
58days 0
Woolgoolga to Halfway Creek
Open totraffic
OPEN TO TRAFFIC
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services12
Woolgoolga to Halfway Creek
Freshly laid turf at Arrawarra rest area Line marking for heavy vehicles at Arrawarra rest area Completed line marking for heavy vehicles at Arrawarra rest area
Watering new trees in Arrawarra Rest Area Preparing the concrete pad for the bus shelter at Range Road Resealing McPhillips Road
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services13
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Woolgoolga to Ballina
Project snapshot
Contractors: Civil Mining & Construction
Form of contract: Build only
Workers on site: 37
Pieces of large machinery: 3
Start date of major construction: June 2015
Expected completion date: Opened August 2017
Project value: Forms part of the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade
Ballina
Byron Bay
Lismore
Murwillumbah
Tweed Heads
Maclean
Woodburn
Broadwater
Devils Pulpit
Newcastle
Karuah
Hexham
Raymond Terrace
Bulahdelah
ForsterTuncurry
Taree
Kundabung
Kempsey
Port Macquarie
MacksvilleNambucca Heads
Urunga
Cos Harbour
Woolgoolga
Glenugie
Halfway Creek
Grafton
M1
BackgroundThe Halfway Creek to Glenugie project – the second section of the overall Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade - opened to traffic in August 2017 and links the completed Halfway Creek upgrade in the south and the existing Glenugie upgrade in the north, providing about 12 kilometres of new four lane divided road.
Key activities/progress in December 2017 and January 2018• continued minor finishing work including signage,
line marking, landscaping, property work and removal of temporary work
• continued work on the new heavy vehicle inspection station at Halfway Creek.
pieces of large machinery on site 3workers
on site
lost to wet weather
37days 0
Halfway Creek to Glenugie
Halfway Creek to Glenugie
Open totraffic
OPEN TO TRAFFIC
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services14
Halfway Creek to Glenugie
Aerial view of the new twin bridges over Halfway Creek now open to traffic
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services15
Woolgoolga to Ballina
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Glenugie to Maclean
Ballina
Byron Bay
Lismore
Murwillumbah
Tweed Heads
Maclean
Woodburn
Broadwater
Devils Pulpit
Newcastle
Karuah
Hexham
Raymond Terrace
Bulahdelah
ForsterTuncurry
Taree
Kundabung
Kempsey
Port Macquarie
MacksvilleNambucca Heads
Urunga
Cos Harbour
Woolgoolga
Glenugie
Halfway Creek
Grafton
M1
BackgroundThe Glenugie to Maclean section of the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade extends more than 48 kilometres. Diverging from the existing Pacific Highway at Glenugie the new alignment heads east passing through Pillar Valley joining the existing Pacific Highway at Maclean. The upgrade in this location includes the Glenugie, Tyndale and Maclean interchanges.
Key activities/progress during November 2017• continued construction of 23 bridges across the
project
• installed the first box culverts for drainage
• continued piling work for bridge construction
• completed clearing and earthwork at Jubilee Street, Maclean
• completed 100,000 cubic metres of bulk earthwork in January.
pieces of large machinery on site 175workers
on site
lost to wet weather
419days
about
complete21%3
Glenugie to Maclean
5contractor companies on site
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services16
Glenugie to Maclean
Earthwork near Old Six Mile Lane, Glenugie Cranes being used to build a bridge at Shark Creek
Earthwork at Jubilee Street, Maclean Lifting bridge girders with a crane, Shark Creek Cranes used for bridge building on the project
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services17
Woolgoolga to Ballina
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Maclean to Devils PulpitBackgroundThe Maclean to Devils Pulpit section of the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade extends about 27 kilometres. The upgrade in this location generally follows the existing Pacific Highway and includes Yamba, Harwood and Iluka interchanges.
Key activities/progress in December 2017 and January 2018• started earthwork at Maclean cut
• completed the traffic switch at Banana Road, Mororo
• continued work on Harwood temporary Pacific Highway diversion
• completed building the bridges at Tabbimoble
• continued median work on the highway near Iluka.
pieces of large machinery on site 104workers
on site
lost to wet weather
299days
about
complete20%2 6
contractor companies on site
Ballina
Byron Bay
Lismore
Murwillumbah
Tweed Heads
Maclean
Woodburn
Broadwater
Devils Pulpit
Newcastle
Karuah
Hexham
Raymond Terrace
Bulahdelah
ForsterTuncurry
Taree
Kundabung
Kempsey
Port Macquarie
MacksvilleNambucca Heads
Urunga
Cos Harbour
Woolgoolga
Glenugie
Halfway Creek
Grafton
M1
Maclean to Devils Pulpit
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services18
Maclean to Devils Pulpit
Waterproof surface on the deck of Tabbimoble Creek bridge
Soft soil treatment at the bridge near Serpentine Channel
Earthwork started at Maclean cut
Harwood diversion road nearing completion
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services19
Woolgoolga to Ballina
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Devils Pulpit to Richmond RiverBackgroundThe Devils Pulpit to Richmond River section of the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade begins about 13 kilometres north of Mororo Road and extends about 34 kilometres north to Richmond River bridge. In this area the upgrade bypasses Woodburn, Broadwater and Wardell and includes Broadwater and Wardell interchanges.
Key activities/progress in December 2017 and January 20187• the main civil works contractor took possession of
the project site
• started piling for the bridge over Tuckombil Canal
• started clearing near Devils Pulpit
• finished building the bridges at MacDonalds Creek Tributary
• continued building the Woodburn - Broadwater service road.
pieces of large machinery on site 50workers
on site
lost to wet weather
169days
about
complete24%0 5
contractor companies on site
Ballina
Byron Bay
Lismore
Murwillumbah
Tweed Heads
Maclean
Woodburn
Broadwater
Devils Pulpit
Newcastle
Karuah
Hexham
Raymond Terrace
Bulahdelah
ForsterTuncurry
Taree
Kundabung
Kempsey
Port Macquarie
MacksvilleNambucca Heads
Urunga
Cos Harbour
Woolgoolga
Glenugie
Halfway Creek
Grafton
M1
Devils Pulpit to Richmond River
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services20
Devils Pulpit to Richmond River
Piling started for bridge over Tuckombil Canal
Laying geofabric near Broadwater National Park
Clearing started near Devils Pulpit
Woodburn Broadwater Service Road
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services21
Woolgoolga to Ballina
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Richmond River to Ballina BypassBackgroundThe Richmond River to Ballina bypass section of the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway extends more than 18 kilometres from the Richmond River bridge to just south of the Teven Road interchange at Ballina.
Key activities/progress in December 2017 and January 2018• completed more than 100,000 cubic metres of
earthwork in the first week of January
• installed wick drains at Coolgardie and Randles Creek
• finished removing the old Duck Creek bridge
• continued building the new bridge at Emigrant Creek
• continued clearing between Richmond River and Ballina Bypass.
pieces of large machinery on site 136workers
on site
lost to wet weather
361days
about
complete24%1 12
contractor companies on site
Ballina
Byron Bay
Lismore
Murwillumbah
Tweed Heads
Maclean
Woodburn
Broadwater
Devils Pulpit
Newcastle
Karuah
Hexham
Raymond Terrace
Bulahdelah
ForsterTuncurry
Taree
Kundabung
Kempsey
Port Macquarie
MacksvilleNambucca Heads
Urunga
Cos Harbour
Woolgoolga
Glenugie
Halfway Creek
Grafton
M1
Richmond River to Ballina Bypass
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services22
Richmond River to Ballina Bypass
Bridge construction at Emigrant Creek
Bridge piling north of Richmond RiverWick drains being installed at Coolgardie East
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services23
Woolgoolga to Ballina
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Ballina
Byron Bay
Lismore
Murwillumbah
Tweed Heads
Maclean
Woodburn
Broadwater
Devils Pulpit
Newcastle
Karuah
Hexham
Raymond Terrace
Bulahdelah
ForsterTuncurry
Taree
Kundabung
Kempsey
Port Macquarie
MacksvilleNambucca Heads
Urunga
Cos Harbour
Woolgoolga
Glenugie
Halfway Creek
Grafton
M1
New bridge over Clarence River at HarwoodBackgroundThe bridge over the Clarence River at Harwood project is part of the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade. It involves building a 1.5 kilometre long, four lane divided bridge, about 20 metres east of the existing Harwood bridge.
Key activities/progress in December 2017 and January 20187• continued installing precast concrete bridge girders
on the northern side
• prepared for the first concrete deck pour to the northern bridge approach
• continued the “U” girder pre-casting operations in Tamworth ahead of schedule
• completed piling work at the southern bridge abutment in December.
Bridge over the Clarence River
pieces of large machinery on site 51workers
on site
lost to wet weather
319days
about
complete65%2 1
contractor company on site
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services24
New bridge over Clarence River at Harwood
Constructing bridge headstock near the northern river bank
Installing precast concrete girders
Aerial view of marine piers in the Clarence River, looking north
Pier construction at southern bridge approach
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services25
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Woolgoolga to Ballina
New bridge over the Richmond River at BroadwaterBackgroundThe bridge over the Richmond River at Broadwater will be one of two major bridges for the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade.
The project involves building a one kilometre long, four lane divided bridge, about 500 metres north of Broadwater.
Key activities/progress in December 2017 and January 2018• completed the crane barge assembly on the
Richmond River southern riverbank
• started clearing for northern abutment area construction activities
• manufactured the first precast, concrete bridge headstock shell in Macksville
• started work on the northern bridge abutment
• received delivery of 36 “Super-T” bridge girders ready for bridge construction.
pieces of large machinery on site 15workers
on site
lost to wet weather
114days
about
complete35%2 1
contractor company on site
Ballina
Byron Bay
Lismore
Murwillumbah
Tweed Heads
Maclean
Woodburn
Broadwater
Devils Pulpit
Newcastle
Karuah
Hexham
Raymond Terrace
Bulahdelah
ForsterTuncurry
Taree
Kundabung
Kempsey
Port Macquarie
MacksvilleNambucca Heads
Urunga
Cos Harbour
Woolgoolga
Glenugie
Halfway Creek
Grafton
M1
Bridge over the Richmond River
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services26
New bridge over the Richmond River at Broadwater
Concrete being poured for bridge pier construction
Looking north at the southern abutment
Crane barge mobilised at the southern river bank
First precast concrete bridge headstock shell manufactured in Macksville
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services27
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092
Environment - Biodiversity offset
Tree on a Pillar Valley biodiversity offset propertyBiodiversity offset team on RMS property at Glenugie
When the Pacific Highway upgrade is complete we will be providing close to 10,000 hectares of native vegetation as a biodiversity offset, managed under legal conservation agreements, making it one of Australia’s largest offset programs.
The Woolgoolga to Ballina project alone includes 31 sites covering over 5,100 hectares that will be managed to ensure biodiversity values are maintained or improved in the long term. The project’s approval conditions have been met but we have also achieved a greater environmental outcome by working with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and NSW Environment Protection Authority. The project team developed a robust assessment process to identify and prioritise properties with ecological attributes that meet the biodiversity offset requirements, taking into consideration suitable threatened species habitat and landscape connectivity.
Part of the assessment process was a public invitation for property owners to submit their interest in the biodiversity offset program. After extensive consultation with private landowners, we have recently submitted 17 applications to enter into Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements which will provide in-perpetuity protection. More applications will be made during 2018.
On a broader scale, the process to assess sites as biodiversity offsets has now set the benchmark for other Project Offices to identify appropriate properties early and to comply with the new Biodiversity Conservation Legislation. The Clybucca Wetland Rehabilitation Project is another Pacific Highway biodiversity offset project working towards securing over 1,100 hectares of native vegetation. This includes a number private properties and involves a cross agency working group including five state government agencies, the local council and the University of NSW.
28
Completed four lane divided road Under construction Upgrade approved and route being prepared for construction
0 50 100 150 200
Kilometres
250 300 350 400
Hexham to Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Ballina to the Queensland border
Woolgoolga to Ballina
Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour
Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report • December 2017 and January 2018Roads and Maritime Services
Four lane divided route status
For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on 1800 653 092