The announcement was made by Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss, who explained that the works were critical to prepare for the construction of a four-lane divided road.

Golding will conduct soft soils work from about 1.9km north of Farlows Lane to Yamba Road, as well as locations at Hardwood through to Chatsworth Road. Truss revealed that seven businesses had tendered for the works, adding that they would start in July with an expected completion time of August.

SEE Civil will stabilise soft soils for a 3.8km section between Whytes Lane and Pimlico. NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay explained that stabilising the foundation would allow the road base to settle before concrete paving was carried out.

The works are expected to reduce the overall time and cost of the project, ensuring the infrastructure is delivered by 2020.

Gay added that a third soft soils contract would be put to tender for stabilisation in sections of the upgrade including Shark Creek to Maclean, Farlows Flat and Tuckombil Canal.

Funding for the Woolgoolga to Ballina works is being provided equally by the federal and NSW governments.