The Coffs Harbour bypass is powering ahead, with major construction milestones underway and a series of traffic changes rolling out across the project from this week.

The 14-kilometre bypass project will allow motorists to avoid up to 12 sets of traffic lights on the Pacific Highway, cutting travel times by up to 12 minutes and easing congestion in Coffs Harbour’s CBD.

The project is a $2.27 billion investment in regional NSW, jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments.

Alongside the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension, the completed bypass will deliver a continuous motorway link between Sydney and Brisbane - no traffic lights, no stop-start bottlenecks. It marks a major shift in how people and freight will move along the east coast, cutting congestion and creating a faster, more reliable journey on one of Australia’s busiest corridors.

Construction crews have begun work on the final bridge, which will form the future southbound Pacific Highway underpass, north of Opal Boulevard at Korora.

The bridge is part of a twin-bridge structure, with the northbound bridge already completed and open to traffic.

Once operational, the underpass will connect the service road west of the highway with Solitary Islands Way.

Piling work is now underway, with columns, girders and a major retaining wall to follow.

Last year, the Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge officially opened, providing safer access across the Pacific Highway for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge was named in honour of local boy Luke Bowen, who tragically lost his life 28 years ago.

Traffic changes

From early June, right-in and right-out turns at the Charlesworth Bay Road and Pacific Highway intersection and the Roselands Drive and Coramba Road intersection will be temporarily restricted.

These temporary changes will allow crews to build the new signalised intersection at Charlesworth Bay Road and the shared user path to Roselands Drive.

Motorists requiring right-turn movements will be directed to use alternate intersections and existing interchanges.

Following these changes, the Pacific Highway and Englands Road/Stadium Drive intersection will shift west to a temporary roundabout.

This change will allow crews to remove the existing roundabout and install traffic lights at the current intersection. The shared path for pedestrians and cyclists will also be temporarily relocated as part of these works.

The change will help accelerate construction and reduce the amount of work required in the Boambee area during 2027.

The bypass is expected to open to traffic in late 2026, with overall project completion scheduled for late 2027.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King:

“Work on the final bridge has begun, and it is incredible to see how quickly the Coffs Harbour bypass is taking shape.

“This project will transform Coffs Harbour, taking traffic and trucks out of the CBD.

“The Albanese Government is proud to be working with the Minns Government to deliver the projects like the Coffs Harbour bypass, ensuring we’re building the roads, bridges and rail the state needs.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:

“We thank the community for their patience during construction of this 14-kilometre project, and the workers who’ve kept it tracking on time, despite enormous weather challenge over the past few years.

“The Coffs Harbour bypass will be a gamechanger for our state, taking 12,000 vehicles, including heavy freight out of the CBD – allowing tourists to discover the area, and helping motorists avoid up to 12 sets of traffic lights.

“The bypass will cut travel time by up to 12 minutes, allowing people to spend more time with their families and friends, and less time stuck in traffic.”

Quotes attributable to Labor spokesperson for Coffs Harbour, Cameron Murphy:

“The completion of the Coffs Harbour bypass is moving closer every day.

“The site is a hive of activity, with work starting on the final bridge for the entire project and some of the last traffic switches for the southern end of the project.

“This is a major win for Coffs Harbour, lifting the local economy, and improving safety for all motorists passing through.”