Boral commence work on Coffs Harbour bypass

31 January, 2024

Digital rendering of the Coffs Harbour bypass. Image: Ferrovial

Company to deliver 280,000 tonnes of asphalt to large-scale flexible pavement project

BORAL have been engaged on a huge flexible pavement project in New South Wales – the Coffs Harbour bypass – which will see the Australian construction materials company supply, deliver, and lay 280,000 tonnes of asphalt. Initial activity on the A$2.2 billion infrastructure project has already commenced, with Boral set to start most of the asphalt work mid-year.

The Australian and NSW governments are funding the Coffs Harbour bypass project, which will boost the regional economy and improve connectivity, road efficiency, and safety for motorists. It includes the construction of three tunnels, 12km of new road, and about 2km of upgraded highway. Set to be open to traffic in late 2026 and completed by 2027, it will be a key link in Australia’s infrastructure, connecting Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.

This package of work will be resourced by the local Boral team with support from surrounding resources in the region. To date, initial planning activity has been undertaken by Boral on the bypass, with most of the work expected to commence in June 2024.

While roads in NSW have traditionally used rigid concrete, Boral will deliver flexible pavement using EME asphalt, an Australian-developed, French product first pioneered by Boral nearly a decade ago. EME enables a thinner layer of the ultra-hard, high-flexing-resistant asphalt to be used, making it a more sustainable product. It also has five-to-10 times the lifespan of regular asphalt.

Tim Richards, executive general manager of asphalt at Boral, said: ‘We are pleased to be involved in the delivery of the Coffs Harbour bypass, a significant infrastructure project that will better connect our major cities and ease congestion in the area.

‘We have a proven track-record in delivering large-scale projects and being an innovative company; the flexible pavement design with EME asphalt mix being just one example. We are excited to be working with Transport for NSW, and proud to deliver one of the largest flexible pavement projects in the state.’

The Coffs Harbour bypass project is a joint venture between global engineering, property, and infrastructure company Gamuda Australia and leading engineering and construction company Ferrovial, who will deliver the major package of work. Boral have been engaged as part of this.