The Minns Labor Government is fast-tracking safety and congestion improvements for Port Macquarie communities by adopting a staged delivery approach for upgrades to the Oxley Highway between the Pacific Highway at Thrumster and Hastings River Drive.
The approach allows work on sections of the corridor to begin sooner, reducing delays while planning continues for future stages of the project.
The nine-kilometre corridor will undergo upgrades to improve safety, reliability and access to Port Macquarie, the Base Hospital and the Health and Education Precinct.
Transport for NSW has completed a business case identifying the preferred staged approach, allowing improvements to begin sooner while planning continues for future upgrades across the corridor.
Stage 1 and Stage 1A
Stage 1 will upgrade the Pacific Highway and Oxley Highway interchange towards Wauchope, one of the region’s busiest traffic pinch points, used by around 30,000 vehicles every day.
This work will begin with Stage 1A thanks to a $20 million investment by the NSW Government, which will deliver additional lanes between the interchange and Billabong Drive, extend the northbound off ramp, install new traffic signals and improve street lighting.
Detailed design is underway for Stage 1A, with feedback received from community helping inform the project’s final design. Early work including utility relocations for Stage 1A is expected to commence in 2027 followed by start of construction.
While Stage 1 moves towards construction, planning is continuing for the remaining stages which include proposed upgrades to Wrights Road, Lake Road and local road connections to the Hospital and the Health and Education Precinct to increase capacity and improve safety.
Transport for NSW is undertaking longer-term planning for potential upgrades at:
- Oxley Highway and John Oxley Drive interchange near Philip Charley Drive
- Oxley Highway and Carlie Jane Drive interchange
- Widderson Street intersection.
The NSW Government will continue to keep the community informed as planning and delivery progress for the staged upgrades.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:
“More and more families are moving to Port Macquarie each year, and that means more cars on this corridor.
“These upgrades will tackle those pain points locals are facing by keeping traffic moving and cutting down on bottlenecks.
“A staged approach allows us to get on with the job of delivering the highest priority upgrades now while planning continues on the remaining stages.
“I’m pleased we can now roll out this staged approach, so locals reap the benefits sooner and know what’s ahead.”
Quotes attributable to Labor spokesperson for Port Macquarie, Cameron Murphy:
“This area of Port Macquarie is busier than ever, particularly around the Pacific Highway interchange and the Hospital precinct. It is an area where traffic absolutely needs to move freely, not grind to a halt.
“By getting started on the highest priority upgrades first, we’ll see improvements where they’re needed most while planning continues for the rest of the corridor.
“People here have wanted to see change on this road for a long time, and a staged approach means they’ll get it a lot sooner.”
