Lisarow’s old rail bridge will be dismantled over the weekend (11-13 March) to make way for a new bridge with two lanes in each direction, marking a key milestone in the Pacific Highway upgrade project.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the NSW Government is investing $178 million to upgrade the Pacific Highway between Ourimbah Street and Parsons Road at Lisarow which is expected to be completed in 2023.
“This upgrade will improve traffic flow, travel times and safety for the 30,000 motorists who use this 1.6 kilometre section of the Pacific Highway each day,” Mr Crouch said.
“We know traffic is an issue, particularly around the existing narrow bridge near Railway Crescent, and this is an important step in busting that congestion.
“The project has also provided a welcome boost to the local economy, with work for a number of people created, including work for more than 150 different suppliers and contractors.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said a key feature of the upgrade is the new rail bridge, which will provide two lanes in each direction across the main Sydney to Newcastle rail line.
“Since moving traffic onto the first half of the new bridge last October, crews have installed 35 bridge piles to support the second half of the new bridge and work has started on the northern bridge abutment,” Mr Farraway said.
“Over the weekend, crews will dismantle the old bridge to make way for the second half of the new bridge, which is set to be installed in July. As you can imagine, this is a meticulously planned operation.”
Transport for NSW and its contractors will be working to dismantle the bridge during a scheduled rail shutdown from midnight Friday 11 March to midnight Sunday 13 March, weather permitting.
The 35-metre-long concrete girders for the second half of the bridge will be installed in July. The girders are manufactured in Newcastle and weigh between 70 to 80 tonnes each.
Work is also continuing on upgrading The Ridgeway intersection to traffic lights. The completed project will also feature traffic lights at the Railway Crescent and Macdonalds Road intersections, and improved access to parking at Lisarow Station.
For more information about the upgrade, visit nswroads.work/lisarow.
For the latest traffic updates, download the Live Traffic NSW app, call 132 701, or visit livetraffic.com.