“Once complete, motorists will be able to travel between Sydney and Brisbane without a single set of traffic lights – saving time, improving safety, and making journeys smoother for families, freight and commuters.” – Jenny Aitchison, NSW Roads and Regional Transport Minister
With just 10 months until opening, the Coffs Harbour Bypass has entered a decisive new stage, as crews begin installing the complex technology and safety systems that will bring one of regional NSW’s largest road projects to life.
From major earthworks to high-tech fit-out
After years of excavation, bridge building and roadworks, attention has now shifted inside the three new tunnels at Gatelys Road, Shephards Lane and Roberts Hill. Here, teams are fitting lighting, fire and ventilation systems designed to safely carry thousands of vehicles each day.
Large jet fans are being hoisted into place to circulate fresh air through the tunnels. Alongside them, electronic variable speed signs, message boards, over-height truck detectors and boom gates are being installed, forming part of an integrated traffic management system.
Real-time monitoring and safety systems
CCTV and infra-red traffic loggers will feed live information to Transport for NSW’s Regional Traffic Operations Centre in Byron Bay, enabling operators to respond quickly to incidents and redirect traffic when needed.
At the heart of the system is the Operations Management and Control System, developed by Australian company M&E Solutions and already in use in the Tugun tunnel further north. The technology allows tunnel conditions, traffic flow and safety systems to be monitored in real time.
Fire detection and tunnel fit-out
Smoke and heat detectors are also being installed to speed up emergency response in the event of vehicle fires. Cable containment trays are being laid to link intelligent transport systems across all three tunnels, while asphalt paving is underway.
Once construction is complete, architectural panels will line the tunnel walls, concealing utilities and creating a clean, uncluttered environment intended to help drivers focus on the road ahead.
These design elements, combined with the advanced safety systems, aim to create a consistent and reliable driving experience through the three tunnels.
The 14km bypass is jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments, with $1.76 billion from the Australian Government and $440 million from the NSW Government. The project is expected to open to traffic late this year, with full completion scheduled for late 2027.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the current phase reflects how far the project has progressed.
“First they dug through the hills, and now the project teams are busy fitting out the new tunnels of the Coffs Harbour Bypass,” she said. “Seeing first-hand the electronics and technology that will keep people safe, and cars and trucks moving through the tunnels is a testament to the hard work being carried out by the project team.”
Reducing congestion and travel times
For motorists, the changes will be significant. Once open, the bypass will allow drivers to avoid up to 12 sets of traffic lights on the Pacific Highway, cutting travel times by at least 12 minutes and easing congestion through Coffs Harbour’s CBD.
Countdown to opening
For the region, the project represents the final stages of a long-running effort to modernise one of Australia’s busiest transport corridors. As tunnel systems are switched on and finishing works continue, the long-promised traffic-light-free journey between Sydney and Brisbane is moving closer to reality.
With major structural works now largely complete and technology installation accelerating, the countdown to opening is firmly underway.
