Improved concept design

The RTA has reviewed the Ballina bypass in light of recent planning on adjacent highway sections, construction timing issues and considering future traffic growth. Note, this review has not affected the construction tendering process or the timing for the construction for the Ballina bypass.

The improved concept design for this project was on display in July 2007. The June 2007 community update (pdf, 4.6 MB) describes the improvements to the concept design and the key reasons why the improvements were chosen.

The Improvements to the Concept Design Report is available from the public information section of this website.

Map of the improved concept design (pdf, 2 MB).

Key improvements

Bruxner Highway interchange:

• Provision of grade-separated turning movements for traffic travelling to and from Ballina.
• The at-grade right hand turn movement for Bruxner Highway to southbound Pacific Highway traffic has been removed. While using the roundabout at Teven Road interchange is a longer distance of travel it provides a safer turning movement.
• Separation of Bruxner Highway and Pacific Highway traffic between the Bruxner Highway and Teven Road to improve traffic safety and flow.

Teven Road interchange:

• Longer bridge over interchange to reduce height of emankment in area of deep soft soils, and thereby speed up construction.
• Provision of dedicated slip lane for Pacific Highway traffic entering/leaving Ballina to improve the operation of the roundabout.

Cumbalum interchange:

• Interchange moved to reduce soft soils and speed up construction timeframes.

Sandy Flat Creek Road:

• Safer traffic movements with Sandy Flat Creek Road traffic joining the existing Pacific Highway, consistent with the Ballina Bypass Representations Report (2001).

Ross Lane interchange:

• Realignment of the interchange to connect to the preferred route for the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade.

Display locations

The improved concept design and assessment of environmental impacts was on display in July 2007 at the following locations:

• Ballina Shire Council.
• Ballina Motor Registry.
• Lismore Motor Registry.
• Newrybar Hall, Old Pacific Highway Newrybar.
• RTA Pacific Highway Office.

Project staff discussed the improvements in detail at three information sessions held in Ballina in late June and early July 2007.