The Coffs Harbour bypass is expected to be open to traffic in time for the Christmas holidays, likely reducing travel time for motorists heading north and south on the Pacific Highway.
For many years Coffs Harbour has proved a significant pinch point during major holidays, with savvy holidayers factoring the inevitable delays into their travel planning.
Almost ready: NSW Secretary of Transport Josh Murray told Budget Estimates on Friday August 21 that it was the “intent” of the government for the new road to be in use by Christmas.
“We're absolutely very keen to get it open for Christmas. We're obviously aiming to get traffic through the region on the new pieces of road by that Christmas holiday influx,” Murray said.
While the road will be driveable, broader project works will continue into 2027.
Weather considerations: Murray said the Christmas timeframe was “of course, weather dependent”.
“We just have to be mindful of safety, and if there were to be big downpours as we head into summer, that could cause some issues.”
Local benefits: When complete, the 14-kilometre bypass is expected to save drivers up to 12 minutes per trip, remove 12 traffic lights from the main town route, and divert about 12,000 vehicles per day from local roads.
Major construction on the bypass began in 2023. The $2.2 billion project is being jointly funded, with $1.76 billion from the federal government and $440 million from the state.
Highway renamed: Because the new bypass route will become the Pacific Highway, the existing highway through Coffs Harbour has been named the Solitary Islands Way.