Kempsey Bypass, NSW
Linking growing communities and major cities
The Pacific Highway is the principal road route from Sydney to Brisbane and is an important link for communities along the northern New South Wales coast.
The Government is investing $618 million for the construction of a 14.5‑kilometre dual carriageway bypass of the Kempsey and Frederickton townships on the mid‑north coast of New South Wales. This means building a new road to the east of the existing Pacific Highway. Important features of the new bypass include:
- construction of approximately 2.2 kilometres of bridging over the Macleay River floodplain
- grade‑separated interchanges at South Kempsey and Frederickton.
Construction is expected to commence in 2010 and is scheduled for completion in 2014.
Improving road safety and reducing congestion
Construction of the Kempsey Bypass will improve highway safety through the provision of a four‑lane divided highway, diverting congested traffic from the Kempsey area.
Current traffic volumes in this section of the highway are around 10,000 vehicles per day, increasing to around 22,000 at holiday times. Heavy vehicles constitute around 21 per cent of road traffic. The project is expected to help eliminate traffic bottlenecks around Kempsey, particularly during holiday periods.
The project will also improve travel conditions during flood events and provide improved amenity to the wider community by directing heavy vehicles away from the towns of Kempsey and Frederickton. Overall, the Kempsey Bypass will significantly improve road safety, reduce travel times and vehicle operating costs for road users, and reduce highway maintenance costs.
