Roads and Maritime Services engaged McConnell Dowell OHL JV to build the Kundabung to Kempsey Pacific Highway Upgrade.
The K2K project will deliver 14 kilometres of four lane divided highway from north of Barrys Creek, near Kundabung, to the southern end of the Kempsey bypass. Major work started in November 2014 and is expected to be completed in 2017, weather permitting.
Key features of the upgrade include building twin bridges over both Smiths Creek and Pipers Creek, a new interchange at Kundabung Road and new northbound and southbound rest areas south of Mingaletta Road.
The project will deliver reduced travel times between Port Macquarie and Kempsey for motorists and improved travel safety through road design and separation of north and southbound lanes.
Progress on the construction of the new southbound lanes enabled the recent traffic switch to take place. On the night of 14 July Pacific Highway traffic was switched onto the new carriageway between Barrys Creek and just north of the Smiths Creek Bridge (the first 4.2 kms of 14km)
The night crew worked hard to safely implement the traffic switch with a night time low temperature of 0.5°C. Work on the night included final line marking, barrier movements, final wire rope installation and signage. During these preparations the team also successfully managed the access to three local side roads in the switch area.
The traffic switch gives the team access to start the construction on the northbound lanes which includes the completion of box culverts, demolition and rebuild of the Smiths Creek Bridge, associated earthworks and pavement.
This achievement is a significant milestone for the K2K construction team, congratulations to all involved for your perseverance and hard work to get the switch complete.
