Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report August 2014

St Helena Tunnel head on the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade KEY MAP

NT QLD WA SA NSW VIC

Pacific Highway Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report, August 2014

QLD BRISBANE

SOUTHPORT Pacific Highway upgrade TWEED HEADS Pacific Highway This report will provideupgrade you with information about Pacific Highway upgrade projects, including the current status and key activities. N LISMORE BALLINA TWEED HEADS

As of 31 August 2014,MU RW397ILLUMBAH kilometres are four divided road and

Federal BRUNSWICK HEADS QLD KEY MAP about 66 kilometres are beingBYRON BAY built. The remaining sections of two lane Government BANGALOW TINTENBAR NSW environmental highway are being preparedBALLINA for major work. NT WOODBURN LEGEND QLD approval Upgrade completed Planning / design stage Under construction WA GRAFTON received for the Existing Pacific Highway SA Woolgoolga to About 60 per cent of theMACLEAN final highway length is nowNSW fourW lane divided road. Ballina upgrade. GRAFTON VIC Subject to a number of strict COFFS WOOLGOOLGA HARBOUR conditions COFFS HARBOUR

URUNGA

NAMBUCCA HEADS First bridge MACKSVILLE LEGEND girder lifted on Upgrade completed Planning / design stage Under construction the Frederickton KEMPSEY to Eungai project PORT MACQUARIE KEMPSEY KEW N 66 km of highway under construction during August 2014. Sod turn TAREE 025 50km PORT NABIAC ceremony to TUNCURRY N MACQUARIE COOLONGOLOOK FORSTER mark start of An average of 1876 construction workers on site. BULAHDELAH LEGEND construction KARUAH N at Sancrox RAYMOND TERRACE LEGEND Major roads HEXHAM LEGEND Y Upgrade completed Rivers interchange For overallNEWCASTLE upgrading strategyUpgr referade completed to the second last page. TAREE F3 FW Upgrade approved, or IIIRailway preferred route identified, or route being prepared Upgrade approved, or for project approval, State border acific Highway or under construction preferred route identified, P Route options identified: PACIFIC HIGHWAY UPGRADE process underway to or route being prepared select preferred route Upgrade completed Upgrade completed for project approval Upgrade approved, or to Under construction preferred route identified, or Upgrade approved being prepared for project DRAFT 3 / 19 SEPTEMBER 2006 and/or route being approval prepared for construction N Construction contract awarded / under construction Under construction NEWCASTLE 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

F3 Freeway NSW GOSFORD Four-lane divided road Environmental assessments or concept SYDNEY designs being prepared for the remaining sections of single lane highway Tendering phase Under construction

N Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report, August 2014 Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour – projects being prepared for major work

Oxley Highway to Kundabung Oxley Highway to Kempsey upgrade Contractors: Lend Lease The Oxley Highway to Kempsey upgrade was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning and Form of contract: Design and build Infrastructure in February 2012 and the Federal Department of the Environment in January 2014. Expected start date: Second half of 2014 Expected completion date: It will provide about 37 kilometres of four lane divided highway between the Oxley Highway at Port 2017, weather permitting Macquarie and the Kempsey bypass. Project value: $820 million The project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments and will be built in two sections. Australian Government contribution: $542.4 million * NSW State Government contribution: Oxley Highway to Kundabung Kundabung to Kempsey $277.6 million * Activities under way Activities under way Kundabung to Kempsey during August 2014 during August 2014 Contractors: McConnell Dowell OHL joint venture • Detailed design work continued • Project plans, including the Construction Environment Management Plan, were developed and reviewed by • Supplementary geotechnical investigations to support Form of contract: Build only other government agencies the detailed design continued Expected start date: Second half of 2014 • Land acquisitions continued • Project plans, including the Construction Environmental Expected completion date: Management Plan, were developed and submitted for • Detailed design continued. 2017, weather permitting State and Federal approval Project value: $230 million • Land acquisitions continued. Australian Government contribution: $115 million * Sancrox interchange NSW State Government contribution: $115 million * • Vegetation clearing continued • Initial environmental controls installed Sancrox Interchange • Utilitiy relocation started Contractors: Ferrovial Agroman • Sod turn ceremony held to mark the start of construction. Form of contract: Build only Start date: July 2014 Looking west from the eastern abutment Expected completion date: Mid 2015 of the new Sancrox overbridge * Contribution amounts may vary from year to year.

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 Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report, August 2014 Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour – projects being built

Contractors: Frederickton to Eungai upgrade Thiess Pty Ltd Form of contract: Background Design and build Workers on site: 480 The Frederickton to Eungai upgrade is the second stage of the Kempsey to Eungai upgrade, Pieces of large machinery: 165 which was approved in 2008. Kempsey bypass was the first stage and opened to traffic in March 2013. Start date of major construction: The project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments. August 2013 It will provide about 26.5 kilometres of four lane divided road from the completed Expected completion date: Kempsey bypass to Eungai Rail. 2016 (weather permitting) Project value: $675 million Key construction activities during August 2014 Australian Government contribution: $337.5 million * 12 days were lost to wet weather during this time. • Building of culverts and other drainage structures continued and 56 per cent complete NSW State Government contribution: • Bulk earthworks continued with an average of 100,000 $337.5 million * cubic metres moved per week • Boundary and fauna fencing continued to be installed

* Contribution amounts may vary from year to year. • Concrete road surfacing continued at the northern • Off site manufacture of precast concrete components end of the project such as bridge girders continued • Bridgework continued and is now 40 per cent complete • Community information session held at the project site compound and well attended by the community. • The first girders were lifted on to the Mill Lane overbridge

The main alignment being built at the northern end of the project For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the project information line on 1800 668 240 Frederickton to Eungai upgrade

Looking north along the main alignment north of Mill Lane Looking north at the Cooks Lane bridge being built Looking north along the Collombatti floodplain

The first bridge girder being lifted onto the Mill Lane overbridge Looking south at the rest areas being built Looking south along the Collombatti floodplain

The main alignment being built towards Main alignment being built north of Collombatti Creek Concrete road surfacing at Stuarts Point interchange northern end of project Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report, August 2014 Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour – projects being prepared for major work

Contractors: Acciona Ferrovial joint venture Warrell Creek to Nambucca Heads Form of contract: Design and build Expected start date: Background Second half of 2014 Expected completion date: The Warrell Creek to Nambucca Heads upgrade was approved by the NSW Minister for 2017, weather permitting Planning and Infrastructure in 2011 and as the second stage of the larger Warrell Creek to Urunga project. The project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments. Project value: $830 million The 20 kilometre project involves upgrading the existing highway to a four lane divided road Australian Government contribution: $415 million * between the Allgomera deviation, south of Warrell Creek and Nambucca Heads, just south of the railway line. NSW State Government contribution: $415 million * Activities carried out during August 2014 * Contribution amounts may vary from year to year. • Detailed design work continued • Construction Environmental Management Plan and Environmental Protection Licence documentation progressed • Preparatory activities for additional geotechnical investigations carried out • Work continued to identify and assess biodiversity offset properties • Provision of additional information to the Department of the Environment being finalised.

The existing Macksville Bridge 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 Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report, August 2014 Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour – projects being built

Contractors: Nambucca Heads to Urunga upgrade Lend Lease Form of contract: Background Design and build Workers on site: 845 The Nambucca Heads to Urunga upgrade is the first stage of the Warrell Creek to Urunga upgrade, Pieces of large machinery: 265 which was approved by the NSW Minister for Planning and Infrastructure in 2011. The Federal Minister for the Environment approved this upgrade in November 2013. Start date of construction: November 2013 The project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments. Expected completion date: It will provide about 22 kilometres of four lane divided road from Nambucca Heads to the existing End 2016 (weather permitting) interchange at Raleigh. Project value: $780 million Australian Government contribution: Key construction activities during August 2014 $390 million * • Realignment of Boggy Creek and Cow Creek continued NSW State Government contribution: 7 days were lost to wet weather during this time. $390 million * • Detailed design work continued • Intersection upgrade work at Deep Creek Road continued

* Contribution amounts may vary from year to year. • Field investigations continued • Bridge girders delivered to Ballards Road overbridge • Project boundary fencing work continued • Piling at the Kalang River continued • Drainage installation and bulk earthwork activities • Piling at Cow Creek service road bridge completed continued • Piling at service road bridge started south • Soft soil load transfer platforms complete at Deep Creek of Waterfall Way interchange • Piling at Boggy Creek bridges started

Crushing of rock to produce road material at Newry State Forest For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the project information line on 1800 668 240 Nambucca Heads to Urunga upgrade

Bulk earthworks along the main alignment Girder placement at Ballards Road overbridge KEY MAP

NT QLD WA SA NSW VIC

Pacific Highway

QLD BRISBANE

Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report, August 2014 SOUTHPORT Woolgoolga toTWEED Ballina – HEADS Pacific Highway projects being prepared for major work upgrade

LISMORE N BALLINA Woolgoolga toTWEED HEADS Ballina MURWILLUMBAH KEY MAP BRUNSWICK HEADS QLD BYRON BAY BANGALOW Background TINTENBAR NSW BALLINA NT WOODBURN LEGEND QLD Upgrade completed Planning / design stage WA The Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade was approvedUnder construction by the NSW Minister for Planning in June 2014 and GRAFTON Existing Pacific Highway SA the Federal Minister for theMACLEAN Environment in August 2014. NSWW GRAFTON VIC The 155 kilometres project will provide a four lane divided road from the northern end of the Woolgoolga WOOLGOOLGA Bypass to the southernW OOLGOOLGAend of the Ballina Bypass. COFFS HARBOUR COFFS HARBOUR The project is jointly fundedURUNGA by the Australian and NSW Governments and will be built in sections. NAMBUCCA HEADS MACKSVILLE

LEGEND Upgrade completed Planning / design stage Under construction Activities carried outKEMPSEY during August 2014

PORT MACQUARIE KEMPSEY • Received Federal environmentalKEW approval, subject to 26 strict conditions N • Industry briefing held TAtoREE explain contracting model for designing and building the Glenugie to Ballina section. 025 50km PORT NABIAC Attented by over 100 companiesTUNCURRY N MACQUARIE COOLONGOLOOK FORSTER

• Contract awarded for theBULAHDELAH development of the connectivity strategy for the Woolgoolga to Glenguie section LEGEND KARUAH N RAYMOND TERRACE LEGEND Major roads • Tenders closed forHEXHAM the siteLEGEN Dmanagement for the 26km Woolgoolga to Glenugie section Y Upgrade completed Rivers NEWCASTLE Upgrade completed TAREE F3 FW • Tenders invited to build theUpgr adeWoolgoolga approved, or to Glenugie section IIIRailway preferred route identified, or route being prepared Upgrade approved, or for project approval, State border or under construction preferred route identified, • Comment period extendedRoute from options identif Augustied: to September for the Blackadder Creek Safety Work options assessment report PACIFIC HIGHWAY UPGRADE process underway to or route being prepared select preferred route Upgrade completed • Detailed ground surveys continued for project approval Upgrade approved, or Under construction preferred route identified, or • Additional geotechnical work being carried out being prepared for project DRAFT 3 / 19 SEPTEMBER 2006 approval • Design of soft soil early work sitesN continued Construction contract awarded / under construction • Threatened species baseline surveys continued NEWCASTLE • Ecological assessments and nest box installation continued

F3 Freeway • Groundwater monitoring carried out across project. NSW GOSFORD Four-lane divided road Environmental assessments or concept designs being prepared SYDNEYExisting highway at Shark Creek 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 for the remaining sections of single lane highway Tendering phase Under construction

N Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report, August 2014 Woolgoolga to Ballina – projects being built

Contractors: Leighton Contractors Pimlico to Teven upgrade Form of contract: Build only Workers on site: 100 Background Pieces of large machinery: 9 The Pimlico to Teven project will upgrade about 2.3 kilometres of the Pacific Highway between Pimlico Start date of construction: Road and Teven Road. This work will facilitate the next phase of the highway upgrade, which is part of November 2013 the overall Woolgoolga to Ballina project. Expected completion date: This project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments. Mid 2016 Project value: Forms part of the The Pimlico to Teven project will involve building bridges over Duck and Emigrant creeks, providing Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade. about two kilometres of new road on the Pacific Highway and more than one kilometre of new road on the . The project is being carried out in three stages. Stage one was completed by the Ballina Bypass Alliance. Stage two is now under construction. Stage three, which provides a four lane divided road, will be completed as part of the larger Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade.

Key construction activities during August 2014

No days were lost to wet weather during this time. • Concrete reinforcement and pour of Emigrant Creek bridge abutments and Pier 2 continued • Deep soil mixing continued on Pacific Highway, south of Duck Creek • Driven concrete columns and concrete injected columns completed south of Duck Creek. • Completed wick drain installation • Concrete poured on deck segments one and two on Pier 1 side of Emigrant Creek bridge

Deep soil mixing south of Duck Creek For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the project information line on 1800 639 842 Pimlico to Teven upgrade

Inserting the last wick drains south of Duck Creek

Pouring deck segments on Emigrant Creek bridge Form reinforcement of Emigrant Creek Pier 2

Starting to place fill over wick drain area south of Duck Creek

Spreading capping material over driven concrete Concrete pour on Emigrant Creek bridge abutment Concrete injected columns south of Duck Creek column platform south of Duck Creek Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report, August 2014

Projects being built

Contractors: Lend Lease Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade Form of contract: Design and build Workers on site: 323 Background Pieces of large machinery: 120 The Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade was approved on 29 January 2010. Start date of major construction: September 2012 The project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments. Expected completion date: It will provide 17 kilometres of four lane divided road from the northern end of the Ballina bypass 2015, weather permitting at Ross Lane to the existing Ewingsdale interchange. Project value: $862 million Australian Government contribution: Key construction activities during August 2014 $566.1 million * 14 days were lost to wet weather during this time. NSW State Government contribution: $295.9 million * • Tunnel waterproofing and permanent lining continued

* Contribution amounts may vary from year to year. • Work on roundabout at Bangalow continued • Preparation for opening of Woodford Lane to southbound Pacific Highway traffic exiting for Byron Bay • Drainage work continued across the project • Bridge beams installed at Bangalow Road bridge • Site tour held for Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia • Bridge work continued across the project • Completion of deck pours at Tinderbox Creek and Watsons Lane bridges • Earthwork continued for Pacific Highway diversion at Emigrant Creek.

Work at Bangalow roundabout For more detailed information visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the project information line on 1800 882 787 Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade upgrade

Earthworks at the Emigrant Creek diversion

Bridge beam installation at Bangalow Road Watsons Lane beam installation and deck pours Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report, August 2014

Environment

Innovative cane toad control trialled at Tintenbar to Ewingsdale

Roads and Maritime Services is supporting ground breaking research into management and control of cane toads on the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale project of the Pacific Highway upgrade. © MG, S McCann and C Bezzina Roads and Maritime deploys industry best practice The outcome of the research has shown that: techniques on its construction projects, such as toad • baited tadpole traps were successful in attracting and fencing around water quality basins and inspection trapping large numbers of tadpoles – so are in fact the of straw mulch, in an attempt to exclude cane toads. first useful tool identified in reducing toad recruitment However these techniques have had limiting effect. through accessing and breeding in basins associated with In early 2014 Roads and Maritime teamed with the construction work University of Sydney to carry out field trials of a new method • fences are relatively ineffective in stopping toads from of toad tadpole trapping, which has proven highly effective. accessing and breeding in basins due to engineering The field trials included testing a novel method of cane constraints on fencing of basins which require inflow points, Baited trap in a sediment basin on the project toad control using baited traps to attract and remove toad spillways, emergency overflow egress points and gates to tadpoles from basins where breeding had occurred. access the basins by plant and personnel They also conducted widespread surveys along the • further research is needed to investigate how other factors project area of fenced and unfenced site water sources or such as water chemistry and flocculants used to manage ‘construction basins’ which are common gathering sites for basin water could influence the success of the baited traps toads during drought and wet conditions to compare the • water management in construction projects need to effectiveness of fences. consider the risk of transfer of tadpole laden water from one Between January and May 2014, 186 basins were surveyed basin to another to prevent infestation in areas they do not with 1029 toads identified. On one occasion a staggering occur. © MG, S McCann and C Bezzina 53 toads were found in a single night at a fenced basin. Overall the trials on the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade A total of 6060 toad tadpoles were trapped over 232 nights. have provided great insight in how to best to manage water sources on future projects. Roads and Maritime would like to thank Dr Matt Greenlees and Professor Rick Shine from University of Sydney for their work on this project.

Adult cane toad 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 Pacific Highway upgrade Achievement report, August 2014

Four-lane divided road status

Hexham to Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Ballina to the Queensland border

Tintenbar to Ewingsdale

Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour Oxley Highway Kundabung Warrell Creek to to Kundabung to Kempsey Nambucca Heads Contract awarded Contract awarded Contract awarded to design and build to build the upgrade. to design and build Frederickton to Eungai, the upgrade. the upgrade. Nambucca Heads to Urunga

Woolgoolga to Ballina

Pimlico to Teven upgrade

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 KILOMETRES

Completed four-lane divided road Under construction Upgrade approved and route being prepared for construction

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 For detailed information about any of the Pacific Highway projects, visit the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/pacific or call the Pacific Highway office on1800 653 092