The Australian and NSW governments are investing $65.5 million to upgrade the notorious bottleneck as part of plans to improve traffic flow and safety on the Central Coast Highway between Wamberal and Bateau Bay.
The Australian Government has committed $52.4 million towards the project. This includes an additional $1.2 million committed in the 2024-25 Budget to ensure the project is fully funded.
Key features of the upgrade include replacement of the existing intersection roundabout with traffic lights and widening the highway north of the intersection to 2 lanes in each direction to the project boundary near Forresters Beach Garden Centre.
For the next stage of the project, Transport for NSW is inviting Expressions of Interests (EOI) from pre-qualified contractors to build the upgrade of the Highway with Tumbi Road.
Transport for NSW has carried out extensive community consultation, with the Review of Environmental Factors on display for feedback in October 2021 and the subsequent submissions report addressing matters raised by the community, published online in June 2022.
Last year, Transport carried out early works to prepare for the intersection upgrade including vegetation clearing, surveying, minor earthworks, geotechnical testing, demolition of Transport-owned property, and installation of utilities pits, conduits and cables.
Timing on the next stage of construction is yet to be confirmed but is expected in early 2025. The project will take about 2 years to complete, weather permitting.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said:
“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 outcome 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 1000 heavy vehicles, that use this section of road each day.”
Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride said:
“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.”
NSW Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:
“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 replaced with traffic lights and the highway north of the intersection will be widened to 2 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 Regional Roads and Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said:
“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 list 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.”
State Member for The Entrance David Mehan 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.”
