The Coffs Harbour Bypass has reached a major milestone, with more than half of the project's 21 bridges now completed - marking significant progress on one of the largest regional infrastructure projects on Australia's east coast.
At 250 metres long and about 16.5 metres high, the twin bridges over the North Coast Railway Line are the longest and highest for the bypass.
With the piles, columns and headstocks complete, work has now begun to install 70 massive Super-T girders using a 600-tonne crane, which is the largest to be used on the project.
The Australian and NSW Governments are jointly investing $2.2 billion in the 14-kilometre Coffs Harbour Bypass, which will boost the regional economy, improve road safety and connectivity, and reduce travel times by up to 12 minutes by allowing motorists to avoid 12 sets of traffic lights through Coffs Harbour's CBD.
The project has already delivered local benefits, including the recently opened Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge, providing safer crossings and honouring a local boy whose memory continues to unite the community.
By the end of 2025, only three bridges will remain under construction, with the final asphalt surfacing to be laid across all road bridges before the bypass opens to traffic in late 2026, and full project completion expected in late 2027.
Quotes attributable to Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government:
"The Coffs Harbour community have been promised this project for a long time, so it's really welcome to see bridge construction on the bypass pass the halfway point.
"Labor Governments have delivered legacy infrastructure like the Kempsey Bypass which cut travel times and removed trucks and traffic from the town centre. We're now a step closer to doing that again, right here in Coffs Harbour.
"The completed project will be a big boost for Coffs, and will mean a safer and more efficient drive for motorists heading up and down the upgraded Pacific Highway."
Quotes attributable to Jenny Aitchison, NSW Minister for Roads:
"Well done to the Coffs Harbour Bypass team on this major milestone. It's incredible to see how quickly this project is taking shape.
"This project is just one part of our efforts to build a better NSW. Once complete, the Coffs Harbour Bypass will ensure families spend less time in the car and more time with their families. It will speed up the region and improve journey times to health, education and essential services.
"But this project isn't just about faster travel times, it's also about protecting local waterways, flora and fauna, and maintaining local access for motorists and pedestrians.
"Alongside the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension, the completed bypass will mean people can travel from Sydney to Brisbane without hitting a single set of traffic lights - a gamechanger for regional connectivity, freight operations and road safety."
