At its opening ceremony, Duty Senator for Paterson, Matt Thistlethwaite, representing Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese, said the Mountain Park steel truss bridge will vastly improve safety, travel and transport efficiency and save time and maintenance costs for road users.

“The 8.5 kilometre four-lane Bulahdelah Bypass is a significant part of [the Pacific Highway] upgrade—in recent years traffic volumes on this section of the highway have increased substantially and the safety record has become unacceptable,” said Thistlethwaite.

“At the moment the highway passes through Bulahdelah and divides the town.

“The bypass will change all that and will reduce the conflict between local and through traffic, bringing down congestion, especially during holiday periods.”

Joining Senator Thistlethwaite at the opening, NSW Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead said the opening of the Mountain Park steel truss bridge was good news for both Bulahdelah locals and tourists, who will now have greater access to Alum Mountain’s lookout and walking trails.

“Alum Mountain has a significant heritage, both Aboriginal and European, and is also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, so I’m very pleased that the bridge design recognises that by providing a visual reference to the mountain’s mining heritage,” said Bromhead.

“The Bulahdelah Bypass project will upgrade the road to motorway standard, construct twelve bridges—including twin bridges over the Myall River—and build two lanes in each direction.”

The Bulahdelah Bypass is a government project funded $303.6 million by the federal government and at $11.4 million by the state government of NSW.