Revealed: Who will build the $2.2b Coffs Harbour Bypass

Two overseas-anchored companies have been handed the keys to deliver the Coffs Harbour Bypass - but they are no strangers to working on the Pacific Highway. See what’s planned.

The Australian arms of two multinational companies have been charged with delivering the long awaited Coffs Harbour Highway Bypass project.

A joint venture between Spanish firm Ferrovial and Malaysian entity Gamuda has been announced as the successful head tender for the $2.2 billion project.

While both are headquartered overseas, they are no stranger to driving Australian projects, including runs on the board with major construction works on the NSW North Coast.

Gamuda Australia is a fully owned subsidiary of Gamuda Berhad, and has also won the contract for the $2.16b Sydney Metro West – Western Tunnelling Package in a consortium with Laing O’Rourke.

Sydney Metro West will double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, transforming Sydney for generations to come.

Ferrovial - which had its beginnings in a Madrid attic in 1952 - has been involved in large projects such as the LBJ Highway and North Tarrant Express in the United States and T2A at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom.

Closer to home, Ferrovial Construction Australia has been involved in the Pacific Highway duplication, including the Warrell Creek to Nambucca Heads section and the landmark Harwood bridge over the Clarence.

The federal and NSW state governments announced the Ferrovial Gamuda joint venture as the successful tenderer for the Coffs Bypass design and construction work on Sunday, June 19.

The project will upgrade around 14 kilometres of the Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour, starting from south of the Englands Road (old Bunnings) roundabout and finishing at the southern end of the Sapphire to Woolgoolga project.

The upgrade will deliver four lanes of divided motorway bypassing the Coffs Harbour CBD, taking thousands of vehicles out of the centre of town and saving motorists time by avoiding up to 12 sets of traffic lights.

Around 600 direct jobs will be on offer during construction.

The bypass is expected to open to traffic from late 2026, and completed by 2027.

“This is a landmark day for Coffs Harbour that locks in who will build the biggest infrastructure project in the town’s history,” deputy premier Paul Toole said.

“We know how important the three tunnels are to the community’s vision for their bypass - and under the planning approvals now in place, they can be assured that’s exactly what they will get.

“Everything is now set to go - early works are on schedule and major construction is on track to fire up at the start of next year.”

Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh said he expected the city to flourish post-bypass, with a number of significant developments already on the table.

“The Coffs Harbour Bypass will ease highway congestion and improve safety, while providing wider economic benefits for the Coffs Harbour area by making the CBD a more attractive place to visit, shop and work,” Mr Singh said.