Preferred builder announced for $2.2bn Coffs Harbour Bypass in NSW

A major milestone has been reached on the $2.2 billion Coffs Harbour Bypass in New South Wales with the announcement of a preferred contractor to build the project. 

The Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture has been awarded the design and construct contract and major construction is scheduled to begin early next year. 

“This is a landmark day for Coffs Harbour that locks in who will build the biggest infrastructure project in the town’s history. 

“The project will be delivered using a single design and construct contract to ensure innovation, efficiency and value for money in bringing the plan for this bypass to life,” Deputy Premier Paul Toole said. 

Early works on the Coffs Harbour Bypass have been carried out over the past 18 months to pave the way for major works to begin. These works included at-house noise treatments, relocation of essential utilities, structural removals as well as environmental work. 

The Coffs Harbour Bypass will upgrade approximately 14 kilometres of the Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour, running from south of Englands Road roundabout to the southern end of the Sapphire to Woolgoolga project. 

“The Coff Harbour Bypass will ease highway congestion and improve safety, while providing wider economic benefits for the Coffs Harbour area by making the CBD a more attractive place to visit, shop and work. 

“The bypass will be a key link in this vital piece of the nation’s infrastructure, connecting Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane,” State Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said. 

Project alignment (source: Pacific Highway Upgrade)

Works will include the construction of a four-lane divided motorway that bypasses the Coffs Harbour CBD, including three tunnels at the major ridgelines included in the environmental planning approval. 

Once open to traffic, the bypass is expected to remove thousands of vehicles from the centre of town and provide motorists with reduced travel times by avoiding up to 12 sets of traffic lights. 

“The Coffs Harbour Bypass will transform travel in this region by diverting 12,000 vehicles away from the CBD, saving motorists around 12 minutes off their trip. 

“The NSW Government is securing a brighter future for NSW families by investing in community infrastructure that will make daily life easier,” NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway said. 

The Coffs Habrour Bypass will progressively open to traffic from 2026, with the entire project completed in 2027. 

This $2.2 billion project is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments on an 80:20 basis and it is anticipated to create about 600 direct jobs during its construction phase. 

“The Australian Government is partnering with states and territories across the country to deliver the projects that matter. 

“Not only will this project deliver local jobs in construction, but it will deliver a safer, faster commute to locals, as well as boosting flood resilience. 

“Importantly, by getting thousands of vehicles out of the middle of the CBD it will give that part of Coffs Harbour back to the local community,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Transport for NSW; Pacific Highway Upgrade – Coffs Harbour Bypass; NSW Government – Coffs Harbour Bypass