The new 34-kilometre upgrade of the Pacific Highway will deliver up to 400 new jobs. 

The upgrade infrastructure works contract along Woolgoolga to Ballina section of the Pacific Highway has been awarded to CPB Contractors Pty Ltd. 

To complete the upgrade within 2020, major civil contracts between Devils Pulpit and Richmond River has also been awarded. The major civil work will involve delivering earthwork, soil treatment, drainage, road surfaces, two underpasses and four overpasses. 

“When completed in 2020 the fully duplicated highway will reduce travel times- and it is already reducing fatalities which have halved since the mid-1990s,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester said. 

In addition, the 155-kilometre Woolgoolga to Ballina section would complete the highway upgrade in each direction between Hexham and the Queensland border. 

Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan said the upgrade contract is expected to deliver 420 jobs, as part of the 2,500 direct and 7,500 indirect jobs. 

Moreover, there are 166 twin bridges to be built along the 155-kilometre Woolgoolga to Ballina section, according to NSW Member for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis. 

He said that the early work in this section of the upgrade was progressing well. 

“Bielby Hull Albem Joint Venture was recently awarded a contract to build 11 twin bridges in this section,” he said. “Including the 1.5-kilometre bridge across the Clarence River at Harwood and the 980-metre bridge across the Richmond River at Broadwater.”