Minister for Roads Duncan Gay and Parliamentary Secretary for the North Coast Chris Gulaptis has announced a record $1.5 billion in joint funding (State funding of $202 million) would be injected into the Pacific Highway upgrade, as part of the NSW Government’s 2016-17 State Budget. “The Pacific Highway upgrade is one of the largest road infrastructure projects in the southern hemisphere,” Mr Gay said. “Since 2011, the Australian and NSW governments have invested more than $5.7 billion towards the upgrade, which is on track to open to traffic in 2020. “Currently 66 per cent of the Pacific Highway between Hexham and the Queensland border is four lane divided road and a further 117 kilometres is being built.” Mr Gulaptis said upgrading this highway has been vital to supporting local economies, reducing travel times and most importantly reducing the number of fatalities, which have halved since the upgrade began. “This record investment is part of the historic $9.7 billion in the NSW 2016-17 State Budget for roads, maritime and freight,” Mr Gulaptis said. Highlights of the $1.5 billion funding will include: • More than $950 million to be spent between Woolgoolga and Ballina to: – continue construction of the upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Woolgoolga and Ballina. – undertake soft soil works along the Woolgoolga and Ballina section of the upgrade. – complete stage 2 of the Pimlico to Teven section of the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade. • Investments between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour include: – $200 million to continue construction of the dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Warrell Creek and Nambucca Heads. – $200 million to continue construction of the dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway between the Oxley Highway and Kundabung. – $75 million to continue construction of the dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Kundabung and Kempsey. – $65 million to complete construction of the dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Nambucca Heads and Urunga. – $25 million for the finalisation of the dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Frederickton and Eungai. – $5 million to continue planning for the future Pacific Highway bypass of Coffs Harbour.