The new bridge across the Hastings River as part of the Oxley to Kundabung Pacific Highway upgrade is now complete.
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It is another milestone reached in the $820 million federal and state government funded upgrade on track to open to traffic later this year, according to Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams.
“This major project is really starting to take shape now the new 15 span Hastings River Bridge has been completed after almost two years of work,” Mrs Williams said.
“The upgrade is about making the highway faster and safer for the thousands of motorists who use it every day, as it’ll be two lanes each way from Sydney to Brisbane.”
The new bridge is west of the existing Dennis Bridge and is one of 23 built as part of the Oxley to Kundabung Pacific Highway upgrade.Upcoming work includes the start of paving on the new southbound lanes for about five kilometres between the north Oxley Highway interchange and Fernbank Creek Bridge.
“The community must be thanked for their patience, especially while the 150 girders required for the bridge were transported from Macksville.”
“Finishing touches including asphalting and line marking will be carried out before the new bridge opens to traffic and the community will be kept updated as work progresses,” Mrs Williams said.
Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker said the bridge completion was another welcome milestone in the project.
“It’s great to see the works between Kempsey and Port Macquarie progressing apace,” he said.
Mr Hartsuyker said the completion of the Port Macquarie to Kempsey stretch, the Macksville stretch, and the bypass of Macksville bridge, which was well past its use-by date, would mean substantial savings in travel time.
