PACIFIC HIGHWAY
Section: Watt Creek to Bellwood


Looking north alongside the Nambucca River, near Bellwood. Nov 2005.

This 5km section of the highway stretches from the junction with Nursery Rd (east) to the junction with Bellwood Rd on the outskirts of Nambucca Heads. The highway through here is one lane in each direction, with no overtaking lanes and a speed camera located about 3km south of Bellwood . The only notable work to be completed on this section is the realignment of a formerly sharp corner where the highway, which follows closely the northern bank of the Nambucca River , turns north. This was completed in September 2004.

As part of the Macksville-Urunga Upgrade project this section of the highway will be bypassed. Due to ribbon development which was allowed to happen along the highway, stretching about 3km south from the southern end of the Nambucca Heads Bypass, as well as the existing highways location so close to the banks of the Nambucca River it was decided that it was no longer practicable for the highway to be duplicated along its present alignment. The preferred route was released for public comment in December 2005 and it involves a western bypass of the existing highway via Old Coast Rd , rejoining the existing highway near Boggy Creek, north of Nambucca Heads. An Environmental Impact Assessment is likely to begin by mid-2006.

Looking west across Watt Creek. Aug 2004.
Looking south approaching the (formerly) sharp bend where the Pacific Highway changes from east-west to north-south, midway between Macksville and Bellwood. Aug 2004.
Looking south again, this time showing the corner after a realignment. Nov 2005.

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