F3 to Raymond Terrace

New South Wales, Australia

Maunsell has been commissioned by the New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) to assist in the development and assessment of feasible route options for a proposed project to upgrade a 12.2km section of the Pacific Highway.

 

The project forms part of the ongoing commitment by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments to upgrade the highway between Hexham and the Queensland border.

Development of this project will involve four key stages:

 

·            Preliminary engineering and environmental investigations,

·            Route selection of feasible options,

·            Environmental impact assessment and preliminary engineering design, and

·            Preparation and exhibition of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

 

Key elements of investigation and assessment include hydrological and flood immunity issues, interaction with local communities, modification to the existing aural environment, landscape character and visual amenity, serviceability and performance of highway infrastructure in areas of deep soft soils and interaction with environmentally sensitive areas including areas of high cultural heritage sensitivity, endangered ecological communities, SEPP 14 wetlands, SEPP 44 koala habitat and threatened flora and fauna species.

 

Constraint mapping prepared from data collected during desk and field studies, was developed via the application of Geographical Information Systems.  An extensive and effective community involvement program was conducted with key government agencies, local councils, utility companies and the local aboriginal communities. Following the identification of a preferred route an EIS will be prepared.