Preferred route

The preferred route for this project has been announced . The preferred route report is available from the Project documents page of this website. Further information can be viewed in the September 2006 community notice available from the Public information page.

The preferred route chosen provides the best overall balance between functional, ecological, heritage, social and economic considerations.

Map of preferred route - (pdf format, 1.6MB)

Interactive map - (pdf format, 1.6MB)

Features of the preferred route

• Best meets the objectives of both the Pacific Highway Upgrade Program and the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale project.
• Achieves high safety standards.
• Provides for grade separation of the upgraded Pacific Highway and the local road system.
• Provides a good outcome in terms of transport efficiency.
• Provides reasonable physical separation from existing and proposed major residential areas such that acceptable visual and traffic noise outcomes could be achieved with sensitive urban design.
• Considers the outcomes of the value management workshop and community submissions.
• Allows for potential water quality risk reductions in the Emigrant Creek Dam area.
• Provides good road user benefits for a reasonable construction cost.
• Retains the existing highway as a local/tourist road.
• Has less visual impact on the escarpment, compared to coastal options.
• Utilises the highest amount of existing and planned highway reserves (Ballina bypass, 9(a) zoning and Bangalow bypass), and connects to the existing Bangalow bypass.
• Avoids known Aboriginal heritage sites.
• Avoids state significant agricultural land.
• Has a lower impact on endangered ecological communities, compared to coastal options.
• Has a lower risk associated with soft soils, flooding and land slips, compared to coastal options.
• Has minimum impact on wildlife corridors, compared to other options.
• Option T2 tunnel would result in less greenhouse gas emissions.
• Option T2 tunnel has reduced travel time and less road user costs than Option T1 tunnel.
• Impacts on agricultural properties could be reduced through further discussions with individual land owners and refinement of the design.
• Retains the 'Macadamia Castle', a local landmark.

Community comments on the preferred route closed Friday 3 November 2006.