Proposed highway corridor bypasses notorious blackspot

A PROPOSAL to realign a dangerous section of the Bruxner Highway near Lismore has resurrected 50-year-old plans in a bid to make it safer and quicker.

The NSW Government has identified a preferred corridor for the upgrade of about eight kilometres of the highway between Sneaths Road, Wollongbar and Kadina Street, Goonellabah.

Transport for NSW now seeks community feedback on the proposal to help identify potential issues before working with other agencies and councils to incorporate the preferred corridor into local environment plans.

Funding had yet to be allocated to the project, but preserving the land from development was the first step towards the upgrade and would help with land use planning, a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

“As part of that planning, Transport for NSW reassessed a historical single carriageway alignment to the north of the existing highway between Wollongbar and Goonellabah from the 1970s,” the spokesperson said.

“We examined where improvements could be made to enhance safety and efficiency of the highway, identify community impacts and make the corridor less susceptible to flooding.

“The latest assessment confirmed that, with some minor adjustments, the preferred corridor should be on the historical alignment north of the existing highway.”

The Bruxner Highway is a key east-west corridor between Lismore and Ballina, and Transport for NSW has been planning improvements along the full length of the highway to improve safety for all road users, reduce congestion, and improve pedestrian and cycle connectivity.

The NSW Government closed submissions last month on its plan to invest $7.5 million, through its Regional Roads Fund, to make the intersection of Cowlong and Alphadale roads and Bruxner Highway safer for motorists.

Transport for NSW recommended traffic signals as the best upgrade option.

For more information on the highway upgrade, go to nswroads.work/w2g.

Submissions close 5pm on Friday, December 20.