Pacific Highway Bypass of Coffs Harbour

[Bird]

Should have included Melbourne in that as well Bruce, I go over the Monash at six on the morning and it is a car park then and thats 50km from the CBD

Oh I do and have many times.
the Shit part is the appealing way of life people moved here for 20 year ago is ****ed and long gone. There is zero appealing about living in Shitney  LMAO!

[Rumpig]

Yep the Bypass route was selected in 2004.  The first Concept Design released in 2008.



We are now 2018, nearly 2019 and work is not planned to start until end of 2020, which really wont be until 2021/2 with a 3 and 4 year build for the two stages.  One stage to just bypass Coffs 14kms and second Stage to connect and northern end to southern end of new Highway upgrades at Sapphire. 

Work on the Bypass was set to start around 2010 but following fallout from the 2008 Concept Design not being on another route certain people, groups, Councillors wanted progress came to a halt and work went into the Sapphire to Woolgoolga and beyond.  Now we are just left with Coffs Harbour and the cluster@*&$(* south of Heatherbrea

that massive 80kph zone that feels like it goes for an hour to drive on the Ballina to Woolgoolga (I think it was) upgrade stretch, was mind numbingly boring to drive on my run South, coming home yesterday I decided that turning off at Grafton and going via Casino, Kyogle and Lions Rd would be a much nicer drive...took me about 15 minutes longer going that scenic / no real traffic route, then a friend that went home via the coastal highway route through all the roadworks and Sunday arvo Gold coast back to Brisbane traffic.

[alnjan]

that massive 80kph zone that feels like it goes for an hour to drive on the Ballina to Woolgoolga (I think it was) upgrade stretch, was mind numbingly boring to drive on my run South, coming home yesterday I decided that turning off at Grafton and going via Casino, Kyogle and Lions Rd would be a much nicer drive...took me about 15 minutes longer going that scenic / no real traffic route, then a friend that went home via the coastal highway route through all the roadworks and Sunday arvo Gold coast back to Brisbane traffic.

Agree.  On a Public Holiday of a long weekend we had to do a run north, only to Lismore.  Friends head up the same day and stayed on the Highway, just a mobile parking lot the whole way with long delays at usual spots, Woodburn being the worst.  We did the inland run up the Summerland Way.  At the worst we saw 8 other vehicles on the road at the same time. 

[alnjan]

https://www.triplem.com.au/story/coffs-bypass-with-tunnels-124966/?station=coffs&fbclid=IwAR1eScNwNymg9jyiVxA6yVH_wU6ajgwIfbnc7aEJarIXTQEQ8nsdBRq19lQ

"The NSW Government has announced a new Committee will progress the Coffs Harbour bypass, which will feature tunnels and other significant design improvements in response to community feedback.

Triple M have been told the improvements include the lowering of the road gradient, a significant reduction in the height of the viaduct adjacent to Mackays Road, low noise pavement along the entire length of the bypass, and vegetated earthen mounds for noise reduction and visual impacts.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro, Member for Coffs Harbour, Andrew Fraser and Nationals Candidate for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh visited the RMS bypass consultation office today."


Interesting times ahead, see what happens after the election, if there is a change of State Government, is the new government going to honour the additional funding.  As for local community group, they have to be the biggest group of negative people, for many different reasons, it will be interesting to read their comments.   

[rags]

https://www.triplem.com.au/story/coffs-bypass-with-tunnels-124966/?station=coffs&fbclid=IwAR1eScNwNymg9jyiVxA6yVH_wU6ajgwIfbnc7aEJarIXTQEQ8nsdBRq19lQ

"The NSW Government has announced a new Committee will progress the Coffs Harbour bypass, which will feature tunnels and other significant design improvements in response to community feedback.

Triple M have been told the improvements include the lowering of the road gradient, a significant reduction in the height of the viaduct adjacent to Mackays Road, low noise pavement along the entire length of the bypass, and vegetated earthen mounds for noise reduction and visual impacts.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro, Member for Coffs Harbour, Andrew Fraser and Nationals Candidate for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh visited the RMS bypass consultation office today."


Interesting times ahead, see what happens after the election, if there is a change of State Government, is the new government going to honour the additional funding.  As for local community group, they have to be the biggest group of negative people, for many different reasons, it will be interesting to read their comments.   

Low noise pavements brings a smile to me.
When the M2 in Sydney was built back when, it was a key feature to appease the affected residence through North Rocks and Winston Hills.
Although around North Rocks has had much more recent work and therefore new pavements the section through Winston Hills now features bitumen corking to expansion cracks that must thump in the night.

[alnjan]

Low noise pavements brings a smile to me.
When the M2 in Sydney was built back when, it was a key feature to appease the affected residence through North Rocks and Winston Hills.
Although around North Rocks has had much more recent work and therefore new pavements the section through Winston Hills now features bitumen corking to expansion cracks that must thump in the night.

What I love is it doesn't matter as much just what surface is on the road, apart from real Shit surface but the noise levels vary with the weather.  Wait till it rains again and the noise level will go up. 

You would think now that they have tunnels they would be happy.  No, still coming up with conspiracy theories and still demanding other changes that will never happen due to their short sightedness (can't see beyond their back yard) and then those that still crying over not getting a Western Bypass are wailing again. 

[Banjo16]

Nothing like a new Committee.

[gronk]

There is zero appealing about living in Shitney  LMAO!

Can't work out why people like to live in a city.....especially Melbourne....raining one day, freezing cold the next !!   

[Hairs]

Can't work out why people like to live in a city

Me neither,
People on mass do my head in.


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[Hairs]

What I love is it doesn't matter as much just what surface is on the road, apart from real Shit surface but the noise levels vary with the weather.  Wait till it rains again and the noise level will go up. 

You would think now that they have tunnels they would be happy.  No, still coming up with conspiracy theories and still demanding other changes that will never happen due to their short sightedness (can't see beyond their back yard) and then those that still crying over not getting a Western Bypass are wailing again.

Too many feel they need to be made a part of everything.

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[alnjan]

While different groups allegedly are acting for the whole community and fighting for the Best Bypass for all of Coffs Harbour.  Turns out they do not want the Coramba Road Interchange, which will allow anyone direct access to the west of Coffs Harbour off/on the Bypass without having to go through Coffs local roads to get to the northern or southern interchange, so 12kms apart.  Instead they want the Coramba Road interchange removed from the plan altogether as is will be too noisy, too busy, too close to their back yard.  That is how you fight for the Best Bypass for the whole Community.  Lets keep more vehicles on the local roads and clog it up more.   

[rockrat]

A community group that represents the views of the community - a good definition of an oxymoron.

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

moved to coffs in 1984 - they were talking about it then. Leaving coffs in 55 days - still talking about it...... 

[alnjan]

moved to coffs in 1984 - they were talking about it then. Leaving coffs in 55 days - still talking about it...... 

My Mum came her in 1957, they were talking about it then.  Was on a different route though.  Coffs was a bit smaller then too.  The route was to come off the Highway between what is now Cook Drive and Geoff King Motors, onto the back of the Golf Course over to roughly where Hogbin Drive now goes of the ridge to Beacon Hill and then roughly follow Hogbin Drive north before slightly veering further east and following the old BAT line over Macauleys Headland and then roughly follow the line of what is now Fiddamans Drive back onto the Highway around the Bananacoast Caravan Park.  No tunnels or cuttings in them days. 

[gronk]

No tunnels or cuttings in them days.

Mightn't be in this day and age either......the only evidence of a tunnel is a politician saying so.....now when is the last time you can remember a pollie delivering on a promise ??   

[alnjan]

Not a promise but I can see tunnels going in. 

[Davepatrol]

Don't see the point in tunnels, every second or third truck carries dangerous goods of some sort these days, I thought the idea was to get the big scarry trucks out of town

[MarkGU]

Don't see the point in tunnels, every second or third truck carries dangerous goods of some sort these days, I thought the idea was to get the big scarry trucks out of town

spot on Dave.Most of the big city dwellers who believe that milk comes from the supermarket are i suspect the ones who are causing the Coffs by-pass sh!t fight.Your right tho, the public would be shocked if they only knew what we carried thru their towns on transport.
They need to build the by-pass so ALL vehicles are able to travel on it. Tunnels arnt the way to go in that case.

[alnjan]

Don't see the point in tunnels, every second or third truck carries dangerous goods of some sort these days, I thought the idea was to get the big scarry trucks out of town

Apparently while there is no definite with the figures as yet.  One the subject of Dangerous Goods, only (now I will stand correct on this) Class 1 and Class 2.1 Dangerous Goods are not allowed in the tunnels and will still have to go through town on what will be the old Highway.  Further of those Dangerous Goods vehicles there is on average about 15ish per 24hrs on average.  Of those 15 it is believed most of them will already have to go into Coffs Harbour for whatever delivery/pickup they have to do.  So they don't count as they already have to go into Coffs Harbour. 

So they are working on about 5 Dangerous Goods Vehicles in 24hrs that will still have to use the 'old Highway' which keeps the Council happy as the RMS will continue to maintain the old Highway.  Saves the Council trying to get more rates increases to cover cost of maintaining what will still be the busiest road in Coffs Harbour.  So those 5 Dangerous Good Vehicles per 24hrs with three tunnels, 2 will be Managed Tunnels as they will be about 450 and 350 meters while the third tunnel 60m (called a Land Bridge so as not to be confused with a Managed Tunnel). 

Those two Managed Tunnels may be 24/7 monitored from the Station atop the St Helena Tunnel but will still need a lot of logistics in Coffs Harbour, but the regular scheduled maintenance will be a continuous yearly increasing cost of an unknown sum of millions, including closing the tunnels four times a year etc as they do with St Helena tunnel. 

I did wonder if some number cruncher in Treasury will see the justification in that ongoing cost for five Dangerous Goods Vehicles a day.  But hey if it makes the noisy minority that live in the most affected area of Coffs harbour happy, apparently cost isn't a concern. 

[Bird]

Apparently while there is no definite with the figures as yet.  One the subject of Dangerous Goods, only (now I will stand correct on this) Class 1 and Class 2.1 Dangerous Goods are not allowed in the tunnels

I'll sit back and watch

Transporting Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods are currently prohibited from travelling through the majority of tunnels in our cities and there is no agreement to allow any dangerous goods through future tunnels such as NorthConnex.
https://www.natroad.com.au/news/transporting-dangerous-goods


Class 1: Explosives
Class 2: Gases
Class 3: Flammable liquids
Class 4: Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, on contact with water, emit flammable gases
Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
Class 7: Radioactive material
Class 8: Corrosive substances
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles.

[MarkGU]

"Further of those Dangerous Goods vehicles there is on average about 15ish per 24hrs on average."

I think you will find it will be a lot more than that.
As Bird posted, take notice of the placards on the front & rear of heavy vehicles next time you are on the road. Having carried DG ( dangerous goods) for many years there is alot more on the roads than people think.Then, there are the DG that go thru town after dark that you dont see.

The idea that DG has to use the old highway at Byron Bay to avoid going thru the very short tunnel is plain ludicrous.The old road has one of the steepest decents/ climbs with a speed camera at the bottom of it so no run up at the hill. Crazy stuff.  

[alnjan]

"Further of those Dangerous Goods vehicles there is on average about 15ish per 24hrs on average."

I think you will find it will be a lot more than that.
As Bird posted, take notice of the placards on the front & rear of heavy vehicles next time you are on the road. Having carried DG ( dangerous goods) for many years there is alot more on the roads than people think.Then, there are the DG that go thru town after dark that you dont see.

The idea that DG has to use the old highway at Byron Bay to avoid going thru the very short tunnel is plain ludicrous.The old road has one of the steepest decents/ climbs with a speed camera at the bottom of it so no run up at the hill. Crazy stuff.

That number of 15 only relates to Class 1 and 2.1.  I agree the total number of Dangerous Goods Vehicles is far greater then 15 per 24hrs.  Also following a Disaster Management Meeting I was at meany years ago Class 1 and 2.1 while they can be involved in a pretty good explosion there are very more dangerous goods that if people actually knew about them they would never be anywhere near a Highway. 

Really what it has come to with the Coffs Bypass is the Action Groups are becoming very Politically Charged with certain key members, 'loading the bullets', so to speak and the group firing them.  Nothing to do with the due process the RMS has to go through to provide a Highway.   

[Bird]

Having carried DG ( dangerous goods) for many years there is alot more on the roads than people think.Then, there are the DG that go thru town after dark that you don't see.
The idea that DG has to use the old highway at Byron Bay to avoid going thru the very short tunnel is plain ludicrous.The old road has one of the steepest descents/ climbs with a speed camera at the bottom of it so no run up at the hill. Crazy stuff.

As Mark says, you want these trucks to have the smoothest simplest route possible - not always possible but ...

Having wheeled DG for Chemtrans and K&S as that be acids, fuel, or the small 2 ton truck with 2x 20kg (from memory) drums of cyanide and (life saver kit) I used to cart forcing them to do it harder than needed is just plain ****ed in the head asking for troubles..

[Fizzie]

or the small 2 ton truck with 2x 20kg (from memory) drums of cyanide

Only 2 x 20kg - did that one have to be placarded Have a funny feeling it wouldn't as it's below the DG limits , but really something you don't want turned over in the middle of the main street!

[Bird]

Only 2 x 20kg - did that one have to be placarded Have a funny feeling it wouldn't as it's below the DG limits , but really something you don't want turned over in the middle of the main street!

Any DG we carried we placarded at CTrans. More to do with the company name and the assumption of what we *maybe* carrying. 
There was an accident years back in USA where a freight train derailed and there were no placards on the railcars - it was carrying cyanide, and emergency workers were in action when someone finally clicked onto what it actually was and they all Shit and ran like fark...
From memory, it went to same site in Blue Mountains that I used to deliver Chlorine Tanks to - some waterboard site.. but it was 1994, so brain is a lot fuct since then..

there was one in NSW too
https://www.facebook.com/Condobolinargus/posts/25-years-since-cyanide-spill-near-condobolinon-22-july-1992-a-freight-train-carr/1574707689258659/