The completion of the new road and roundabout which connect the South Grafton business precinct on Iolanthe Street in South Grafton with the Pacific Highway as part of the Grafton Bridge project is now open to traffic.

Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said this is an important milestone for the $240 million NSW Government funded project.

“This permanent road will vastly improve access to the South Grafton business precinct and reduce congestion in this busy area, which is vital for the city and broader region,” he said.

“The northbound intersection of this new traffic arrangement will continue while the project team safely continues to build the new Grafton Bridge.

“Once the new bridge is fully open to traffic, this new access road will become part of the highway and the current route, south of Bunnings, will no longer be used by highway traffic.

“Work on the new bridge across the Clarence River continues to progress with the installation of the segments connecting the bridge piers well underway,” he said.

Mr Gulaptis said work to build the three northern piers is still underway and is expected to be completed early this year.

For the latest information on the new Grafton bridge project, visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/graftonbridge.