PACIFIC HIGHWAY
Section: Brunswick Heads to Yelgun

Looking south to Orana Rd & Coolamon Scenic Dr at Ocean Shores. Jan 2005.

This 9km section of the highway stretches from the northern end of the Tandy’s Lane project (or the southern end of the Brunswick Heads Bypass depending on which way you look at it) to the southern end of the Yelgun to Chinderah Freeway project at Yelgun.

Originally, the Pacific Highway did not pass through Brunswick Heads. Instead, it passed through Mullumbimby (via Mullumbimby Rd ) and along Coolamon Scenic Drive , rejoining the current alignment just south of Billinudgel. Then it passed just to the wast of Billinudgel via what is now Stock Route Road (shown as Brunswick Street in UBD), rejoining the current alignment just south of the beginning of the Yelgun to Chinderah Freeway project.

The first alignment change in this area came in December 1938. The Department of Main Roads had been working since 1933 on an upgrade of the highway through the Burringbar Range as well as improving flood immunity between Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah. As part of this, the Pacific Highway was relocated from the western side of Billinudgel to the eastern side, crossing the Marshalls Creek floodplain along high embankments and traversing easier terrain to Yelgun. The route across Marshall Creek was then reconstructed in 1980 and new concrete bridges and wider embankments provided. Remnants of the original route, particularly at the watercourse crossings, were visible from the reconstructed sections until construction of the Brunswick Heads to Yelgun Upgrade obliterated them.

South of Billinudgel, the change of route came on 9 March 1945 when the Pacific Highway was re-routed through Brunswick Heads (along Gulgan Rd and Tweed Street , thence via the current alignment to Billinudgel). The new route had previously existed for a number of years as Main Road No. 144 and this declaration was revoked as part of the re-routing of the highway. The old highway through Mullumbimby was reproclaimed as Main Road No. 524 but this declaration was later revoked in September 1996. The first bridge over the Brunswick River was constructed in 1934 and replaced a car ferry that had been operated by Byron Shire Council since 1921. It became part of the highway on 9 March 1945 .

Following the commitment of the ten-year Pacific Highway Upgrading Programme, construction was commenced on a 3.4km bypass of Brunswick Heads in July 1996. Only one carriageway was constructed initially, as plans for the provision of four lanes across and north of the Brunswick River were yet to be finalized. The $17.5 million project was opened to traffic on 5 June 1998 , removing a renowned holiday bottleneck from Brunswick Heads. Duplication of the bypass will be undertaken as part of the Brunswick Heads-Yelgun Upgrade project (which is currently under construction). A grade-separated interchange at the southern end of the bypass was constructed as part of the Tandy’s Lane project (opened 19 December 2001 ) and a grade-separated interchange at the northern end of the bypass will be constructed as part of the Brunswick Heads-Yelgun Upgrade project.

Planning for the Brunswick Heads-Yelgun Upgrade project commenced in 1996 and the preferred route (A2) was selected in April 1997. In response to further route suggestions from the community, the RTA investigated new routes across a broader study area however these were ultimately rejected. Thus an Environmental Impact Statement was prepared for the preferred route and it was exhibited to the public from July 1998. Planning approval was granted in August 1999 but, following this, further alternative routes were suggested by community groups. Despite finding that these suggested options would both cost more and be harmful to the environment than the preferred option, the Roads and Traffic Authority responded to the community concern over the preferred route - undertaking a detailed design review of the project. In November 2001 a range of options were displayed for community comment and, following analysis of community feedback, the RTA adopted a modified design. An Environment Impact Assessment of the reviewed design was prepared and placed on public exhibition during November and December 2002. Planning approval for the modified project was granted in December 2003 and thus detailed design and investigations were commenced, paving the way for the contract to be awarded to Abigroup in February 2005. Construction activities commenced in July 2005, and will consist of the following key features:

The project is expected to be completed and opened to traffic by the end of 2007.

Current route of Pacific Highway
	Looking north along the Brunswick Heads Bypass with duplication works underway. Nov 2005.
	Northbound AD sign approaching the roundabout at the northern end of the Brunswick Heads Bypass. Nov 2005.
	Southbound AD sign for Tweed St (Old Pacific Hwy) at the northern end of the Brunswick Heads Bypass. Nov 2005.
	Looking north across the Brunswick River bridge, built in 1934. Nov 2005.
	Looking north at Rajah Rd. Nov 2005.
	Looking north, just north of the Sewage Treatment Plant access road. Note the extremely tight corner with a southbound overtaking/acceleration lane ending on it. Nov 2005.
	Northbound AD sign for Coolamon Scenic Drive and Orana Rd at Ocean Shores. Nov 2005.
	Looking north to Wilfred St at Billinudgel. The piling machines in the background are working on new bridges across Marshalls Creek floodplain. Nov 2005.
	Looking south from Wilfred St at Billinudgel, showing where the relocated highway will deviate from the existing highway. Nov 2005.
	Looking north from Wilfred St at Billinudgel. Nov 2005.
	Looking south across Marshalls Creek floodplain. Originally constructed in 1938, the highway was reconstructed and realigned here in 1980 and is currently being reconstructed again. Nov 2005.
	Southbound AD sign for Shara Boulevard, just north of Marshalls Creek. Jan 2005.
	Looking north from the above sign. Steep grades and winding alignments such as this will be eliminated as part of the duplication of the highway, with the existing highway retained as a local service road. Jan 2005.
	Looking south between Yelgun and Billinudgel. Nov 2005.
	Distance sign heading south from Yelgun. Nov 2005.
	Looking south from the southern end of the Yelgun-Chinderah Freeway project, showing construction underway on the Brunswick Heads-Yelgun Upgrade. Nov 2005.
	A similar view, this time taken prior to the commencement of construction. Jan 2005.
	Looking south at the southern end of the dual carriageways at Yelgun. Nov 2005.
Old Pacific Highway, Brunswick Heads (Gulgan Rd & Tweed St)
	Looking south along Tweed St from Fingal St. Nov 2005.
	Remnant NR1 fingerboard sign on Tweed St at Fingal St. Nov 2005.
	Remnant NR1 fingerboard sign on Tweed St at Mullumbimby St. Nov 2005.
	Looking north along Tweed St from Mullumbimby St. Nov 2005.
	Looking south along Tweed St to Mullumbimby St. Nov 2005.
Old Pacific Hwy, Billinudgel (Stock Route Rd or Brunswick St)
	Stock Route Road looking north from the current highway alignment at Billinudgel. It was closed to traffic in mid-2005 to allow for construction of the Brunswick Heads-Yelgun Upgrade. Nov 2005.
	Stock Route Rd looking south from Wilfred St at Billinudgel. Nov 2005.
	Not the old highway but worth a view nonetheless, looking east through Billinudgel along Wilfred St. Nov 2005.
	Looking north along Brunswick St approaching a low-level bridge across Marshalls Creek. Nov 2005.
	Looking north from The Pocket Rd. This view gives you an idea of travelling conditions on the Pacific Hwy during the 1930s. Nov 2005.
	This 1938 photo shows the relocation of the highway on a new alignment near Billiunudgel (i think). (DMR)

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