Plans to upgrade Central Coast Hwy & Tumbi Rd intersection progressing well

Plans are progressing on an upgrade to New South Wales’ Central Coast Highway intersection at Tumbi Road to provide motorists with safer and smoother journeys along this corridor. 

The Australian and New South Wales Governments are jointly funding the $65.5 million upgrade that will help relieve the notorious bottleneck at this section of the Central Coast Highway while also improving traffic flow and safety for motorists travelling between Wamberal and Bateau Bay. 

The Australian Government has committed $52.4 million towards this project, including $1.2 million in the 2024-25 Federal Budget to ensure the upgrade is fully funded. 

“The Australian and NSW governments are committed to upgrading one of the most congested intersections on the Central Coast Highway and ensure the best possible outcomes for motorists travelling to, from and around the region. 

“This upgrade will reduce delays, queuing and improve traffic flow at the intersection as well as increased safety and reliability for all road users. 

“Once completed, this project will make a real-life difference to the 26,000 motorists, including 1,000 heavy vehicles, that use this section of road each day,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

Proposed Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection upgrade (source: Transport for NSW)

The Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road intersection upgrade will include: 

• Replacing the existing intersection roundabout with traffic lights 
• Widening the Central Coast Highway north of the intersection to two lanes in each direction 
• Providing two right turn lanes out of Tumbi Road onto the highway southbound 
• Lengthening the left turn lane into Tumbi Road from the northbound lanes of the highway 
• Providing a right turn lane into Tumbi Road from the southbound lanes of the highway 
• New and upgraded footpaths and shared paths 
• Providing a U-turn bay in from of Pacific Garden Hotel for southbound traffic 
• Providing an interim transition back to the existing arrangements at the northern limit of works, near Forresters Beach Garden Centre 
• Relocating two existing bus stops to a common location northbound on the Central Coast Highway north of the intersection 

“We know the intersection between the Central Coast Highway and Tumbi Road is a notorious bottleneck. The Albanese and Minns Labor governments are moving forward with our blueprint to fix it. 

“Once the upgrade is delivered the existing roundabout will be replaces with traffic lights and the highway north of the intersection will be widened to two lanes in each direction. 

“This upgrade will cut congestion, improve road safety and make travelling around the Central Coast much easier for all motorists,” NSW Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said. 

As part of the next steps, Transport for NSW is inviting Expression of Interests (EOI) from pre-qualified contractors to build the project. 

In October 2021, an extensive community consultation was carried out with the Review of Environmental Factors on display for feedback. The subsequent submissions report that addressed matters raised by the community was published online in June 2022. 

“Central Coast road users have been calling for this upgrade for a long time and together the Albanese and Minns Labor governments will deliver it. 

“The EOI process is an important step forward and will help Transport for NSW identify a short lift of applicants who will be invited to put in a tender for the critical construction component of this project. 

“In a boost for the local economy, we expect that when construction work ramps up around 125 jobs will be supported,” NSW Regional Roads and Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said. 

Transport for NSW undertook early works on the project last year to prepare for major construction. Early works included vegetation clearing, surveying, minor earthworks, geotechnical testing, demolition of Transport-owned property, and installation of utilities pits, conduits and cables. 

The timing of the next stage of construction is yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to commence in early 2025. Weather permitting, the project will take up to two years to complete. 

“The Central Coast is a busy and growing region, and locals deserve a strong road network that they can rely on. 

“Once completed, this upgrade will improve safety and ease congestion for locals and visitors,” Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride said. 

“The Central Coast Highway provides an important connection between the M1 Pacific Motorway at Kariong and the Pacific Highway at Doyalson through Gosford, Erina and The Entrance. 

“This is a great step forward in progressing the Tumbi Road intersection upgrade which will help ensure local communities enjoy improved reliability and connectivity on this important route,” State Member for The Entrance David Mehan said. 

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Transport for NSW (1, 2)