More than four years after it was first mooted, major works have now started on an upgrade of the Central Coast Hwy/Tumbi Rd intersection.
The Federal and NSW Governments are joining forces to deliver the $65.5M upgrade, which will significantly improve journeys for Central Coast motorists and the 26,000 vehicles using the busy stretch of road daily.
It will slash travel times, improve safety, and boost the local economy with 125 construction jobs supported throughout the build.
The Federal Government has contributed $52.4M to the project, with the NSW Government providing the remaining $13.1M.
Work has officially begun to replace the existing roundabout with modern traffic lights and expand the highway to two lanes in each direction, to the project boundary.
The upgrade will address the notorious bottleneck and improve traffic flow and safety on the Central Coast Hwy between Wamberal and Bateau Bay.
The comprehensive upgrade includes: traffic lights replacing the roundabout; highway widening to two lanes each way north of the intersection; two right-turn lanes from Tumbi Rd onto the highway; a right turn lane onto Tumbi Rd from the highway southbound; extended left-turn capacity into Tumbi Rd; upgraded footpaths and cycling infrastructure; and relocated bus stops for better passenger access, with two existing northbound bus stops moved to a common location north of the intersection.
Following extensive community consultation in 2021-2022 and preparatory works in 2023, Daracon Pty Ltd was awarded the construction contract in March this year.
The project is expected to be completed in 2027, weather permitting.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said endless queues down Tumbi Rd will soon be a thing of the past.
“This upgrade will make the intersection safer, reduce delays and improve traffic flow,” she said.
“Traffic lights will also give NSW traffic controllers the ability to make changes to the timing and sequencing of lights to maintain traffic flow even in the busiest holiday periods.”
Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride said the intersection is a well-known bottleneck.
“Replacing the roundabout with traffic lights will help better manage traffic flows, reducing congestion and cutting travel times,” she said.
NSW Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said the upgrade will benefit all local road users, whether they are driving, walking, riding or using public transport.
“This work will make journeys safer and quicker, which is good news for residents, local businesses and transport operators,” he said.
State Member for The Entrance David Mehan said the Central Coast Hwy is a key regional link.
“It is absolutely fantastic see this work getting underway,” he said.
“All road users can look forward to reduced congestion and more reliable journeys.”
The Entrance Rd and Tumbi Rd
I seen 8 blokes just standing around talking yesterday …..no work being done. No wonder it’s taking so long to start. it’s ridiculous 😒.
Does this mean the current single lane from Tumbi roundabout to Bateau Bar Rd will be upgraded or just the Tumbi end? If it is not a complete upgrade you are just moving the problem further up the road..the whole stretch is a carpark every morning and afternoon.
Looking forward to seeing the completion of this. The “Rapid Bus” plan from the draft SRITP won’t stand a chance during peak hour if there’s no room for a dedicated bus lane
Finally at last. Hope I live till 2027.
How about fixing the Pacific highway from Tuggerah to San Remo. Bet our Labor MP’s are not sitting in the traffic that even occurs during the middle of the day? Labor has promised and promised while the traffic increases doing zero in the past decade. Do some research on the significant increase of traffic this road now entertains. More interested in mobile speed cameras than actually fixing the Pacific Highway. Do what you promise and stop all the talk and in action.
the problem that will occur each peak hour will be traffic bumper to bumper from the lights at the “lower Wamberal shops” to the new installation at Tumbi Road and not enough traffic feeding through the new lights and banking up. good luck everyone whilst this project is in the making!!!!
I agree with so many others when I say that ai hope the 2 lanes each way are extended from Tumbi Road all the way to Bateau Bay.
It will be a total waste of time and money otherwise!!
Ithink that’s great, but I aslo would love to see a set of lights put in at the sparks Rd & Kanwal roundabout & at the other roundabout near the Lake haven Bunnings. Traffic can get rediclulous at both roundabouts.
The footpath should at the very least extend to Crystal Street to join Forries with Wamberal by foot.