Road Photos & Information: New South Wales: Pacific Highway, New England Highway, John Renshaw Drive, Southern Freeway, Mount Ousley Road & Princes Highway (National Route 1) (Decommissioned)

Road Photos & Information: New South Wales

Pacific Highway, New England Highway, John Renshaw Drive, Southern Freeway, Mount Ousley Road & Princes Highway (National Route 1) (Decommissioned) - Nabiac to Bulahdelah

Statistics:

Length: 1149 km
- Northern section: 668 km (Nabiac to Bulahdelah: 47 km)
Northern Terminus:
- Northern section: Gold Coast Highway (SR2) and Tugun Bypass (M1) at Tweed Heads West
Southern Terminus:
- Northern section: John Renshaw Drive (NH1) and New England Highway (NH15) at Beresfield
Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along The Route:
- Northern section: Bunda Creek, Wang Wauk, Coolongolook, Wootton, Boolambayte and Bulahedelah

Route Numbering:

Former:
Road Authority Internal Classification: SH10 (Tweed Heads West to Hexham) 1
Decommissioned: 2013

General Information:

National Route 1 forms part of the main coastal route between Victoria and Queensland. The route features a mix of rural highway, arterial and freeway design standards. The route forms part of what is collectively known as Highway 1. It is Australia's coastal highway joining all mainland's state capitals and coastal towns circumnavigating the entire Australian continent. It is also the longest numbered highway in the world, covering more than 14 500 km.

In New South Wales, National Route 1 was truncated by National Highway 1 between Beresfield and Wahroonga, by Metroad 1 between Wahroonga and Waterfall and by M1 at Tweed Heads West.

Northern Section:

The northern section of National Route 1 took in a small section of New England Highway and the rest was made up by the Pacific Highway. The route varies from dual carriageway arterial and highway standard, to motorway standard and the rest is generally undivided rural highway conditions. The Pacific Highway is very well trafficked, and as a result notorious for a large amount of road trauma within the state. These crashes have resulted in more than 50% of the route being divided since the late 1980s.

Pacific Highway:

The Pacific Highway section of NR1 runs between Brunswick Heads and Hexham, and also between Wahroonga and the Gore Hill Freeway at Artarmon. The northern section between Brunswick Heads and Hexham is a mix of dual carriageway, rural highway and urban arterial roadway. The southern section between Wahroonga and Artarmon is urban arterial standard and passes through one of Sydney's more affluent areas.

The highway traces its origins back to an early settler, George Peat, who owned the land between the Hawkesbury River and Mooney Mooney Creek. To provide access to his property, Peat began a ferry service across the Hawkesbury River in 1844 and surveyed, then constructed a road between Hornsby and Kariong in 1854. After his death in 1870, the ferry service was abandoned and the road fell into disrepair, finally closing to all traffic in 1899, following the completion of the Sydney-Newcastle railway.

Demand for a route between Sydney and Newcastle July 2013s back to the early 20th century. When the only access was via the sea or via a long route through the town of Wiseman's Ferry. In the 1920s, the then Main Roads Board undertook a series of surveys to form an easier and more reliable route north from Sydney. In 1928 construction began on upgrading the old road and converting it to a modern standard, plus creating a new route north, utilising some of the abandoned Peat's Ferry Rd, while improving the horizontal and vertical alignments. In May 1930 the ferry service across the Hawkesbury River was re-established to service the new road until such times that a bridge became necessary. June 1930 marked the completion of the concrete surfacing.

During the time of the Hornsby to Gosford contruction, improvements were made to roads between Gosford to Newcastle as part of the link. On May 17 in 1929, the route was named as the Great Northern Highway. The work from Hornsby to Gosford cost almost £1 million, however it was money well spent, reducing the trip from Sydney to Newcastle from 9 hours to 4 ½ hours.

History:

Pacific Highway:

1939: By this time, two thirds of the Pacific Highway was bitumen paved. 2
1950s: Shortening of the Pacific Highway between Raymond Terrace and Taree. 2
1955: A total length of 23 miles from Bulahdelah to Wang Wauk Bridge was reconstructed, with a further 5 mile section started between Wang Wauk and Nabiac. Widening of Pacific Hwy over Coolongolook Hill. 3
1956: Commencement of construction of a 19.5 mile length of Pacific Hwy from Wang Wauk River to Taree. 543 miles out of 574 miles of Pacific now with a bitumen surface. 4
1957: The construction of a length of 10.5 miles between Wang Wauk River and Bungwahl Creek was completed. Work began on a four span reinforced concrete bridge over Cureeki Creek at Coolongolook. Length 160 feet. Construction started on a three span reinforced concrete bridge over Frys Creek, two miles north of Bulahdelah. Length 100 feet. 5
1958: The bitumen surfacing of the Pacific Highway (576 miles in length) was completed. Construction between the Wang Wauk River and Bungwahl Creek was completed with bitumen surfacing, with the exception of the immediate approaches to a new bridge over the Wallamba River at Nabiac. In addition, a section from Bungwahl Creek to one mile south of Purfleet was completed with bitumen surfacing. The total length between Wang Wauk River and the northern end of the work is 19.6 miles. Completion of a reinforced concrete bridge over Cureeki Creek at Coolongolook. Length 160 feet. Work commenced on a four span reinforced concrete bridge over Boolambayte Creek at Bulahdelah. Length 100 feet. 6
1959: Completion of a four-span reinforced concrete bridge over Boolambayte Creek, 5 miles north of Bulahdelah. The structure which was 100 feet in length and replaced an old timber beam bridge. 7
1960: Completion of a four-span reinforced concrete bridge 100 feet long over Coolongolook River at Wooton was completed. A three-span 75 feet long reinforced concrete bridge over Bungwahl Creek, 5.6 miles north of Nabiac was completed. 8
1966: Completion of construction and bitumen surfacing of deviation through Buladelah. 9
1969: Work was commenced on widening the highway and strengthening the pavement in the Coolongolook area. 10
1970: Completion of bridge over Myall River at Bulahdelah on the Pacific Highway. A two-lane four-span prestressed and reinforced concrete bridge, 395 feet long with two footways, replaced a steel truss and timber beam bridge, 248 feet long. Regrading of a crest and provision of a climbing lane were commenced one mile north of Bulahdelah. 11
1971: Work was completed on regrading of a crest and provision of a climbing lane 1 mile north of Bulahdelah. Construction of a climbing lane including widening of the existing pavement to a 44 feet formation with 24 feet sealed pavement was commenced north of Bulahdelah. Reconstruction and strengthening to provide 24 feet wide sealed pavement and 10 feet wide shoulders were completed in the Coolongolook area. 12
1972: Widening of the formation to 44 feet including the extension of culverts between Coolongolook Gap and Wang Wauk River to provide 10 feet wide shoulders for approximately 3 miles was completed. The work also included the extension of the climbing lane at Coolongolook Gap. 13
1974: Construction of climbing lane, including widening of existing pavement between Bulahdelah and O'Sullivans Gap was completed. 14
1976: Construction of approaches to the bridge over Traynors Creek 3.7 km north of Bulahdelah, was commenced. 15
1977: Construction of the approaches to a bridge over Traynors Creek was completed. Pavement widening was commenced between Boolambayte Creek and O'Sullivans Gap. Pavement strengthening with asphaltic concrete was commenced over O'Sullivans Gap. 16
August 1997: Work commences on the 4.8km upgrade to dual carriageway from Wang Wauk to Bundacree Creek. The project involve: duplication of the existing single carriageway to provide dual carriageways, improvements to the intersection with Wang Wauk Road and Provision of U-turn facilities and parking bays at appropriate locations. 17
May 1998: Traffic was diverted onto a 1.8 km section of the new northbound carriageway of the Wang Wauk to Bundacree Creek upgrade. This enabled rehabilitation and reconstruction to be undertaken on the existing highway, which is now the new southbound carriageway. 17
10 December 1998: All major works on Wang Wauk to Bundacree Creek upgrade complete, with both carriageways open to traffic. 17
July 2001: The 11.7 kilometre dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Coolongolook and Wang Wauk was opened to traffic. 18
4 November 2006: Bundacree Creek to Possum Brush upgrade, 9.7 km in length, opened to traffic.
August 2010: Construction begins on 8.5 kilometres of four-lane divided road with an eastern bypass of the Bulahdelah township. 19
June 2013: Completion of Bulahdelah Bypass. 20

Click here for historic photos of Pacific Highway between Nabiac and Bulahdelah
Click here for construction photos of Pacific Highway between Nabiac and Bulahdelah
Click here for photos of the former alignment between Nabiac and Bulahdelah

Bulahdelah to Nabiac		Nabiac to Bulahdelah
Preview:	Description:	Preview:	Description:
	Services Sign: Services sign at Bulahdelah, approaching Bulahdelah Way (former Pacific Hwy), July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Services Sign: Services sign approaching Wang Wauk Rest Area at Bundacree Creek, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Bypass Town Sign: Bypassed town advance directional sign at Bulahdelah, approaching Bulahdelah Way, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Wang Wauk River: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Wang Wauk River at Wang Wauk, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Bulahdelah Way at Bulahdelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Coolongolook approaching Kennedys Gap Rd, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Services Sign: Services sign at Bulahdelah, approaching Bulahdelah Way (former Pacific Hwy), July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Coolongolook, approaching Wootton Way (former Pacific Hwy via O'Sullivans Gap), November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign approaching Bulahdelah Way at Bulahdelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Coolongolook, approaching Wootton Way (former Pacific Hwy via O'Sullivans Gap), November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Bulahdelah Way: Pacific Hwy (NR1) at the Bulahdelah Way interchange at Bulahdelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Wootton Way: ID sign at Coolongolook at the junction with Wootton Way (former Pacific Hwy via O'Sullivans Gap), November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Bulahdelah Way: Pacific Hwy (NR1) at the Bulahdelah Way interchange at Bulahdelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Coolongolook, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at the roundabout with Lee St, Bulahdelah Way and Pacific Hwy (NR1) interchange, at Bulahdelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Coolongolook River & Herivels Road: Pacific Hwy (NR1) at Wootton, as it passes over Coolongolook River and Herivels Rd, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Bulahdelah, approaching Wootton Way (former Pacific Hwy via O'Sullivans Gap) and The Lakes Way (TD6), July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Ferny Creek Road: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it passes under Ferny Ck Rd at Wootton, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Bulahdelah, approaching Wootton Way (former Pacific Hwy via O'Sullivans Gap), July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Wattley Hill Road: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it passes under Wattley Hill Rd at Wootton, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Wooton Way: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Wootton Way at Bulahdelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Coolongolook River: Pacific Hwy (NR1) at Wootton, as it passes over Coolongolook River, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Bulahdelah, approaching The Lakes Way (TD6), July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Boolambayte Overflow: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Boolambayte Overflow, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Bulahdelah, approaching The Lakes Way (TD6), July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Services SIgn: Services sign at Boolambayte for Bulahdelah Way interchange, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	The Lakes Way: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and The Lakes Way (TD6) at Bulahdelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Bypassed Town Sign: Bypassed town advance directional sign at Boolambayte for Bulahdelah Way interchange, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Bulahdelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Bulahdelah at the junction with The Lakes Way (TD6), November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Squires Hill Road: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it passes over Squires Hill Rd at Boolambayte, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		The Lakes Way: ID sign at Bulahdelah at the junction with The Lakes Way (TD6), November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Stoney Creek Road: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it passes over Stoney Ck Rd at Boolambayte, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Services SIgn: Services sign at Bulahdelah for Bulahdelah Way interchange, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Newmans Road: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it crosses over Newmans Rd at Wootton, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Bulahdelah, approaching Wootton Way, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Coolongolook River: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Coolongolook River at Wootton, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Services SIgn: Services sign at Bulahdelah, between The Lakes Way (TD6) and Wootton Way, November 2010. Image © Rob Tilley
	Ferny Creek Road: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it passes under Ferny Ck Rd in Wootton, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Wootton Way: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Wootton Way at Bulahdelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Wooton Way: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Wootton Way at Wootton, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Reassurance Directional SIgn: Distance sign at Bulahdelah, July 2013. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from November 2010. Image © Paul Rands
	Entering Coolongolook: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it enters the town of Coolongolook, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional SIgn: AD sign at Bulahdelah for Bulahdelah Way interchange, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Services Sign: Services sign approaching Wang Wauk Rest Area at Wang Wauk, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Bulahdelah Way: Pacific Hwy (NR1) at Bulahdelah at the Bulahdelah Way interchange, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
	Wang Wauk River: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it crosses Wang Wauk River at Wang Wauk, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands		Bulahdelah Way: Pacific Hwy (NR1) at Bulahdelah at the Bulahdelah Way interchange, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
			Stuart Street: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it passes under Stuart St at Bulahdelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
			Myall River: Pacific Hwy (NR1) as it passes over Myall River at Buladelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
			Buladelah Way: Pacific Hwy (NR1) at the Bulahdelah Way interchange in Bulahdelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
			Reassurance Directional SIgn: Distance sign at Bulahdelah, July 2013. Image © Paul Rands
Click here for the continuation of National Route 1 between Bulahdelah and Karuah Click here for the continuation of National Route 1 between Johns River and Nabiac

1 Roads and Traffic Authority, Schedule of Classified Roads and State & Regional Roads, 31 January 2011
2 RTA Thematic History, 2nd Edition, 2006
3 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1954-55
4 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1955-56
5 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1956-57
6 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1957-58
7 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1958-59
8 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1959-60
9 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1965-66
10 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1968-69
11 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1969-70
12 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1970-71
13 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1971-72
14 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1973-74
15 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1976-77
16 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1977-78
17 Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Pacific Highway Upgrade, Hexham to Port Macquarie, Completed Projects, Wang Wauk to Bundacree Creek
18 Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Pacific Highway Upgrade, Hexham to Port Macquarie, Completed Projects, Coolongolook to Wang Wauk
19 Roads and Maritime Services, Pacific Highway upgrade Monthly achievement report, May 2012
20 Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Pacific Highway upgrade, Hexham to Port Macquarie, Bulahdelah upgrade

Last updated: 26-Dec-2017 12:31

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