Clearer waters ahead for Coffs Harbour bypass project
Major construction contractor, Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture, working with Transport for NSW, is breaking new ground on the Coffs Harbour bypass with an NSW -first approach to managing stormwater under the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Environment Protection Licence.
In partnership with the NSW EPA, the project has introduced High Efficiency Sediment (HES) basins – real-time treatment systems that remove suspended solids including clay, silt, and organic debris before water is released to the environment.
The bypass crosses steep hills, deep gullies and areas of high rainfall, making water management during construction a critical challenge. Traditional basins treat water passively after rain, but HES basins operate continuously.
Scott Lawrence, Senior Manager Environment and Sustainability, Transport for NSW said the HES basins have been operating on the project since mid-2023 and they have already proven their value.
“Trials under the project’s licence showed a 78 percent reduction in total suspended solids during a 480mm rainfall event. These solids can carry heavy metals, reduce oxygen in streams, and smother aquatic habitats, so removing them is vital to protect waterways like the world heritage-listed Solitary Islands Marine Park.”
The HES system also delivers safer, more sustainable operations. Automated dosing reduces the need for manual handling during rain events, and retained water can be reused for construction, cutting demand on potable supplies.
Greg Nash, Project Director, Transport for NSW said the achievement reflected strong collaboration.
“This has been a whole-of-team effort, from our environmental specialists to the engineers and our construction contractor (Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture) who’ve done a tremendous job bringing it to life,” he said. “Everyone leaned in – and what we’ve delivered is not only safer for our people, but smarter for the project and the planet.”
The project is now sharing trial data with industry peers, setting a new benchmark for environmental protection in infrastructure construction delivery.
View our HES basins video to find out more
Coffs Harbour bypass High Efficiency Sediment Basins
All three Coffs Harbour bypass tunnels have broken through
The Coffs Harbour bypass is celebrating the final breakthrough of its three tunnels!
Work at Roberts Hill Tunnel will now focus on controlled blasting of the bench (floor) in both tubes. Once this is finished in coming weeks, the team will install drainage and carry out waterproofing in the tubes.
The team is continuing to do drainage and waterproofing in both Shephards Lane and Gatelys Road tunnels. On the bypass, the waterproofing covers the entire tunnel tube ceiling and sides.
The proofing layer is installed to increase the lifespan of the tunnel and stop any water making its way onto the road. This provides a much safer journey for road users travelling through the tunnels.
Once this layer is in place, we spray the final covering of shotcrete. Later this year we will start paving in all three tunnels with the mechanical and electrical fit out to follow.
At a glance
The waterproofing statistics for all three tunnels are:
- About 52,000m2 of surface to be sprayed in two layers
- About 320,000kg of the waterproofing product will be used to achieve this lining.
- A single team of waterproof (typically 3 x labourers) are capable of waterproofing the equivalent of 400 – 700m2 of tunnel in a shift which varies due to climatic conditions etc. encountered on site.
Naming and Dedication of the Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge
The Coffs Harbour community came together in July to celebrate the opening of the Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge - a new link for walkers and cyclists that carries a very special meaning. Named in honour of local student Luke Bowen, the bridge is both a milestone in the city’s long-awaited bypass and a heartfelt tribute to a young life that touched so many. Watch our video to see how Luke’s story and community spirit are now woven into this lasting landmark.
Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge - naming and dedication
Coramba Road Interchange - partial opening
With concrete poured, asphalt laid, lines painted, plants in the ground, and the noise wall built, the two roundabouts at the new Coramba Road Interchange are ready for motorists. From August 2025, the interchange is partially opening to provide local traffic access so the Coffs Harbour bypass project can keep building the new road south of the interchange.
Local motorists travelling between Coffs Harbour and Karangi, Coramba and beyond will be traveling on their first new section of road for the project. While roundabouts will be operational, the team is still busy building the on and off ramps, so they won’t open until much later in the program.
Motorists are advised to follow all signage, speed limits and drive to the conditions through this area as construction is still being carried out close to roads. We thank the community for its ongoing patience as we continue to deliver this game-changing project for the Coffs Harbour community.
Coffs Harbour bypass - Coramba Road Interchange traffic switch (stage 1)
Official naming dedication of the Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge
Coffs Harbour’s impressive new Luke Bowen Pedestrian Bridge, which spans eight lanes of traffic, has officially been named and dedicated in the honour of Luke Bowen.
The new bridge is the first major component of the bypass to be fully operational for its ultimate use.
Its completion, and the removal of the older and shorter Luke Bowen Footbridge, clears the way for work to widen the highway to two lanes in each direction with an additional two local roads to the east and west of the highway to progress.
The new bridge provides safe access for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the highway and links directly to a new bus interchange being built just south of Kororo Public School.
It is a landmark structure that provides an enticing gateway to Coffs Harbour for travelers heading into the city from the north.
Luke Bowen was just 12 years old – a Year 6 student at Kororo Public School – when he tragically lost his life in 1997.
The grief that followed touched every corner of the community – from his family, friends, classmates and teachers, to the broader Coffs Harbour community who felt the immense weight of that loss.
Not long after, the original Luke Bowen Footbridge was built and named in his honour.
As part of the opening, the bridge was also rededicated and will continue to be named after Luke Bowen.
Coffs Harbour bypass Photobook July 2025
Take a visual journey through the latest construction milestones on the Coffs Harbour bypass. From breakthrough moments in all three tunnels to progress across interchanges, bridges and road realignments, capturing the momentum building across the 14-kilometre corridor.
Featuring stunning aerials, behind-the-scenes shots, and a spotlight on the people making it happen, our July photobook offers a snapshot of progress as we move closer to delivering faster, safer, and more efficient journeys for all.
Explore the July Photobook (PDF 10.2MB).
Coffs Harbour bypass Construction Progress Showreel July 2025
We’re making significant progress on the ground. Our latest showreel takes you behind the scenes of the Coffs Harbour bypass project, highlighting key developments across multiple locations, including major interchange and bridge construction, advancements in tunnelling works and installation of new noise walls.
Watch the video to see how the project is taking shape to improve connectivity, road transport efficiency and safety for all motorists.
Coffs Harbour bypass Construction Progress Showreel - July 2025
Latest plans
Final Place Design and Landscape Plan now available
The Coffs Harbour bypass has released the final Place Design and Landscape Plan detailing the completed bypass's urban, architectural, and landscape design proposals.
Read them here:
Community consultation on the draft plan occurred in December 2023. A Consultation Summary Report has been prepared to summarise and respond to the feedback received. Thank you to everyone who submitted.
Manage your journey
We understand traffic changes are disruptive for road users and appreciate your patience during the construction of the Coffs Harbour bypass.
Conditions are continuing to change in the area, so we are asking motorists to please ACT:
- Be Aware: Keep up to date with the project and the latest traffic changes.
- Be Cautious: Follow signage, drive to the conditions, and follow the direction of traffic control.
- Allow more Time: Access arrangements will continue to change. Plan for minor delays and be patient on the road.
Please subscribe to our email list to keep informed about traffic changes and help you plan your journey.
Resources
You can access key resources for the Coffs Harbour bypass that provide detailed information on our construction activities and procedures. This includes construction updates, factsheets, environment reports, and other supporting documents.
Each of them has been produced to help inform how we are building the bypass with safety, environment, and community in mind.
Resource library
About the Coffs Harbour bypass
The 14km Coffs Harbour bypass will take vehicles west of the urban area, from Englands Road in the south to Sapphire in the north.
The project is part of the Pacific Highway upgrade, funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
For more information and documentation for the approvals of the Coffs Harbour bypass visit the NSW Planning Portal.
The existing highway through Coffs Harbour forms part of the Sydney - Brisbane freight corridor and carries between 30,000 and 35,000 vehicles per day (2016).
Road users need to navigate a 12km low speed arterial road with 12 sets of traffic signals, a major roundabout and 26 other intersections. This means the area experiences:
- A motorist, cyclist and pedestrian casualty rate more than three times higher than expected of a road of this class.
- Increased travel time and inefficient on-road freight operation.
- Loss of economic development opportunities.
- A decrease in the amenity of Coffs Harbour CBD.
By providing a bypass of Coffs Harbour consistent with the current standards of the Pacific Highway upgrade program, the project addresses declining transport efficiency, urban congestion and road safety issues.
It will support regional development and provide:
- Safer, more consistent and reliable travel.
- Reduced travel times with improved freight transport efficiency to better. access towns and villages on the north coast.
- Improved amenity for local communities.
- A more reliable route with improved flood tolerance.
View a larger version (PDF 3.98MB) of the map.
A static map of the Coffs Harbour Bypass. The Bypass starts at the bottom left of the map in Boambee, and continues north through North Boambee Valley and Red Hill. It then heads north-east through Korora, Korora Basin, then concludes at Sapphire Beach at the top right of the map. You can view further information such as articles/resources on project updates, work notifications, Environment and community information on the resources page.
Gallery
Coffs Harbour bypass project contact
For further information about this project, contact or visit us at:
Email: community@CHBteam.com.au
Phone: 1800 550 621
Mail: P.O. Box 565, Toormina, NSW 2452