Upgrade of Central Coast Highway powers up

The upgrade of the Central Coast Highway between Wamberal and Bateau Bay has moved a step closer with early planning work well underway.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the Central Coast Highway was the key road linking Gosford and Erina to The Entrance

“Thanks to an early investment of $4 million, planning is now taking place, with geotechnical work including borehole drilling to test the ground conditions. The results will help to prepare the detailed design for the proposed highway upgrade,” Mr Crouch said.

“After these investigations, the project will start work on the preliminary environmental assessments, traffic modelling along the corridor, flood investigations and more field investigations.

"This is a significant first step towards making travel easier, faster and safer for the 26,000 motorists that use this section of road every day.

“While construction remains some way off, this early planning work is a crucial part of any project.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government had committed $387 million to duplicate this section of the Central Coast Highway.

“This is the only section of the Highway between Kariong and Bateau Bay which isn’t two lanes in both directions, and that’s a real problem during peak hours or when there is an accident,” Mr Toole said.

“It’s going to be a challenging project, with limited space available, but we’re not shying away from the hard projects because we know what they mean for the community.”