Pacific Highway
The Pacific Highway upgrade is one of the largest road infrastructure projects in NSW. It connects Sydney and Brisbane, and is a major contributor to Australia's economic activity.
About the Pacific Highway upgrade
The Australian and NSW governments have been jointly upgrading the Pacific Highway to provide a four lane divided road from Hexham to Queensland. Upgrading started in 1996 and 2020 has been identified as the targeted completion.
The Northern Project Office will deliver the Pacific Highway upgrade and the Grafton Bridge second crossing project.
Current status
Currently about 81% of the 657 kilometre Pacific Highway between Hexham and the Queensland border are now four lane divided road. The remaining sections are under construction or being prepared for major work.
View or download the Status of dual carriageway map.
Benefits
Upgrading new sections and carrying out safety improvements to the existing highway have brought major improvements to road conditions.
These improvements support regional development and provide:
- Safer travel
- Reduced travel times with improved transport efficiency
- More consistent and reliable travel
- Improved amenity for local communities.
Signage on the Pacific Highway
Roads and Maritime is responsible for authorising, installing, maintaining and removing signs on State roads such as the Pacific Highway.
As part of the Pacific Highway upgrade, many towns become bypassed in the process of delivering a safe and efficient dual carriageway for motorists. We are committed to working with these bypassed communities to provide adequate signage to encourage tourists and road users more generally to visit those towns.
View or download Signage on the Pacific Highway.
Construction workforce studies
We have carried out research to profile the construction workforce on the Pacific Highway upgrade on the North Coast between Port Macquarie and Ballina. The research objective was to better understand the number of local and relocated workers, where they live, and the services they use in local communities while they work on the upgrade.
View or download the studies:
- Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour Construction Workforce Survey Report
- Woolgoolga to Ballina Construction Workforce Accommodation Study Report
Completed projects
Read about completed projects on the Pacific Highway upgrade.