GILLESPIE CALLS FOR NEW PHASE IN PACIFIC HIGHWAY UPGRADE PROGRAM

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With completion of the upgrade to four lanes along the entire route of the Pacific Highway, construction of the Coffs Harbour bypass underway and planning in its final stage for the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace, it’s now time to begin planning the next phase of the Pacific Highway Upgrade program.

Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie has told Parliament that the next phase of investment must include overpasses and interchanges at critical intersections where there has been several fatal accidents and increased traffic flows in recent years.

“Population growth along the Pacific Highway corridor, combined with increasing tourism traffic has made many of these major intersections busy at peak times, raising further safety concerns,” Dr Gillespie said.

“In recent times, we have seen fatal accidents at these busy intersections and it’s now time for them all to be upgraded.”

Dr Gillespie has called on the New South Wales Government to complete the planning process for the upgrade of major intersections. The intersections Dr Gillespie says need to be included in the next phase of the Pacific Highway Upgrade Program include:

  • An interchange for Medowie Road, Italia Road and Bucketts Way linking Newcastle Airport the Pacific Highway, western villages, Gloucester and the Barrington Tops with the Pacific Highway

  • An interchange at Myall Way linking Tea Gardens & Hawks Nest with the Pacific Highway

  • An interchange at Failford Road linking Forster-Tuncurry with the Pacific Highway.

  • An interchange at Harrington Road linking Coopernook and Harrington with the Pacific Highway.

  • An interchange Houston Mitchell Drive at Lake Cathie-Bonny Hills with the Pacific Highway

  • Upgrade of the Oxley Highway interchange linking Wauchope and Port Macquarie with the Pacific Highway

“Most of the upgrade north of Port Macquarie has been done in recent years and includes interchanges and flyovers at the major intersections, however it is the areas further south where the initial upgrade began and the priority at the time was more about converting the highway from two to four lanes and onto dual carriageways,” Dr Gillespie said.

“All of these intersections are a priority and need to be upgraded sooner rather than later. It is something we must put on the agenda now so that further investment can be made by the State and Federal Governments.

“The community at all of these locations are seeking interchanges and overpasses at these intersections and I believe they deserve nothing less,” Dr Gillespie said.

Dr Gillespie said he would be raising the need for a further phase of the Pacific Highway Upgrade Program directly with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the NSW Minister for Regional Roads and Transport.

Guest UserDr David Gillespie Mp