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Pacific Highway, New England Highway, John Renshaw Drive, Southern Freeway, Mount Ousley Road & Princes Highway (National Route 1) (Decommissioned): Former Alignment: Queensland Border to Brunswick Heads

Statistics:

• Length: 1149 km (Queensland Border to Brunswick Heads: 50 km)
  • Northern section: 668 km
  • Southern section: 481 km
• Northern Terminus:
  • Northern section: Gold Coast Highway (SR2) and Tugun Bypass (M1) at Tweed Heads West
  • Southern section: Princes Highway (Metroad 1) at Waterfall
• Southern Terminus:
  • Northern section: John Renshaw Drive (NH1) and New England Highway (NH15) at Beresfield
  • Southern section: Princes Highway (A1) at New South Wales / Victoria border
• Miscellaneous: Continues as Princes Highway (A1) in Victoria
• Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along The Route:
  • Northern section: Ocean Shores, Billinudgel, Yelgun, Cudgera Creek, Chinderah, Banora Point, Tweed Heads South and Tweed Heads West

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 dates 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 construction, 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:

• June 1927: The completion of reconstruction of the North Coast Highway (now Pacific Highway) totalling 8 miles 64 chains (approximately 14 km) between Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads. Work consisted of the strengthening the existing foundation and adding a layer of bituminous macadam. 2
• 1930s: Paving of North Coast Highway (Pacific Highway) along a 2 mile section 9.5 miles north of Murwillumbah. 3
• 1931: Completion of timber bridge over Dunbible Creek at Dunbible, south of Murwillumbah. Great Northern Highway and the North Coast Highway were grouped together and renamed the Pacific Highway. 4
• 1933: Work began on reconstruction of an 8 mile length of Pacific Highway over the Burringbar Range. Construction begins on a bridge over Terranora Inlet at Tweed Heads South (Boyds Bay), which included a lift span that was 54 feet long and featured reinforced concrete spans, totalling 420 feet in length. 5
• 1934: The Pacific Highway on the northern side of Burringbar Range was deviated and reconstructed over a 2 mile length, eliminating one of the worst sections of the highway at that time. The new road provided a better curve radii and visibility, and a better gradient. Construction on a further section between 3 miles in length was also commenced. Work on a bridge to replace the existing ferry at Chinderah commenced over the Tweed River at Barney's Point. The bridge consisted of two 140 feet truss spans, a 61 ft. 6 in. bascule span and rolled steel joist spans. With the exception of the deck of the bascule span, which was made of timber for lightness, the whole of the carriageway was concrete. 6
• 1935: Construction commenced on a steel bridge over the Tweed River at Barney's Point. The bridge was 625 feet long and contain a bascule opening span 63 feet long, two 140 feet steel trusses and eight approach spans. The work eliminated the ferry service at Chinderah nearby. The bridge over Terranora Creek (Boyd's Bay) completed. It comprises a vertical lift span 54 feet long and twelve steel beam approach spans. The bridge replaces a nearby ferry and the approach alignment was considerably improved. 7
• October 1936: Construction beings on a 5 mile deviation south of Burringbar. 8
• 1939: By this time, two thirds of the Pacific Highway was bitumen paved. 9
• 1946: Construction of concrete bridge over Condong Creek at Murwillumbah. 10
• 1950: Construction of a reinforced concrete bridge over Dunbible Creek, 8 miles south of Murwillumbah. Length 111 feet. Work began on a reinforced concrete bridge over North Coast Railway line one mile south of Murwillumbah. This bridge is 123 feet long. Commencement of work on a reinforced concrete bridge over Burringbar Creek. This bridge is 200 feet long and features five spans. 11
• 1951: Construction of concrete bridge over the railway, 1 mile south of Murwillumbah. 12
• 17 December 1952: The bridge over the Hunter River at Hexham opened to traffic. 13
• 1953: Opening of Fernvale Deviation, totalling 4 miles, south of Murwillumbah.
• 1956: 543 miles out of 574 miles of Pacific now with a bitumen surface. 14
• 1958: The bitumen surfacing of the Pacific Highway (576 miles in length) was completed.
• 1962: Climbing lane added to the Pacific Highway south of Murwillumbah. 15
• 1963: Widening of the Pacific Highway between Bangalow and Tweed Heads. 16
• 1967: Reconstruction and bitumen surfacing were completed between 7.0 and 8.3 miles north of Murwillumbah, eliminating a length of narrow, damaged pavement. 17
• 1970: Construction was concluded of a climbing lane on the Burringbar Range, south of Murwillumbah. Construction of a deviation was commenced at Condong, north of Murwillumbah. Construction of a channelised intersection was completed at the New South Wales / Queensland Border (Boundary and Clarke Streets). 18
• 1971: Reconstruction and bituminous surfacing were completed from Alma Street to Condong Creek, north of Murwillumbah. This work improved a section of narrow pavement. Completion of reconstruction between Boyd's Bay Bridge and the Queensland Border.
• 1972: Construction of a deviation at Tumbulgum, north of Murwillumbah, was commenced. This work bypassed the village and replaced a narrow winding section of road. 19
• 1975: Work started on a dual carriageway construction between 30.3 km to 30.6 km north of Murwillumbah. 20
• 1976: Reconstruction at Billinudgel was completed. 21
• 1977: Sections of Pacific Highway converted to Priority Road: New England Highway at Hexham to to Wang Wauk River (116 km), Pacific Highway from Nambucca Heads to Queensland Border (366 km) and Pacific Highway from Wang Wauk River to Nambucca Heads (236 km). 22
• 21 October 1996: The southbound carriageway of Chinderah Bypass was opened to traffic. 23
• 29 November 1996: The northbound carriageway of Chinderah Bypass was opened to traffic. Flyovers carry the Pacific Highway traffic across Wommin Bay Road and Chinderah Road, whilst an interchange provides access to local roads at Chinderah Road. The bridge over the Tweed River at Barneys Point, costing $10.2 million, provides six vehicle travel lanes and a combined walkway / cycleway. 23
• May 2000: Construction work on the Yelgun to Chinderah Freeway began. The Yelgun to Chinderah Freeway includes 3 interchanges, 11 overbridges including two arch bridges, 39 highway bridges, 36 cuts and fills, 2 fauna overpasses, 3 fauna underpasses and 2 rest areas. 24
• 4 August 2002: Official opening of the Yelgun to Chinderah Freeway, which bypass the winding Burringbar Range and the town of Murwillumbah. The route is 28.5km of four-lane, divided carriageway. It runs from Dirty Flat Road at Yelgun to north of Oak Avenue, just south of Chinderah. The freeway shortened the Pacific Highway by 14.5km. 24
• April 2006: Construction begins on Tugun Bypass, which crosses the NSW-QLD border. 25
• 11 July 2007: The 8.6 kilometre dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Brunswick Heads to Yelgun was opened to traffic. 26
• May 2008: Construction begins on grade-separated interchanges were constructed at Stewart Road, Currumbin and at the Tweed Heads Bypass, Tweed Heads West. The project includes a 334 metre tunnel underneath the Gold Coast Airport's runway extension and twin bridges over Hidden Valley. 27
• 3 June 2008: Tugun Bypass opened to traffic. The 7 kilometre dual carriageway upgrade included four lanes with the provision to be upgraded to six. Grade-separated interchanges were constructed at Stewart Road, Currumbin and at the Tweed Heads Bypass, Tweed Heads West. The project included a 334 metre tunnel underneath the Gold Coast Airport's runway extension and twin bridges over Hidden Valley. 27
• December 2009: Work starts on the Banora Point Upgrade. The upgrade extends over about 2.5 kilometres from the northern end of Barneys Point bridge to the southern end of the Tweed Heads bypass. 28
• September 2012: Completion of the Banora Point upgrade. 29

This page shows former alignment photos of NR1 between the QLD Border and Brunswick Heads

Tweed Heads:

Northbound			Southbound
Preview:	Description:		Preview:	Description:
	Advance Directional Sign & Distance Sign: AD and RD sign at Tweed Heads South, approaching Rivendell Rd and Shallow Bay Dr, December 2009. Image © Rob Tilley			NSW-QLD Border: NSW-QLD border at Tweed Heads, near Griffth St and Bouundary St, March 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Tweed Heads South, approaching Kennedy Dr, December 2009. Image © Rob Tilley			Tweed Heads: Minjungbal Rd (former Pacific Hwy) as it makes its way through Tweed Heads, March 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Black Advance Directional Sign: Black AD sign at Tweed Heads South, approaching Kennedy Dr, March 2006. Image © Paul Rands			Kennedy Drive: Kennedy Dr interchange, Tweed Heads, March 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Black Intersection Directional Sign: Black ID sign at the Kennedy Dr interchange, South Tweed Heads, December 2009. Click here for a photo by Paul Rands of this location from March 2006. Image © Rob Tilley			Terranora Inlet: Boyds Bay Bridge over Terranora Inlet at Tweed Heads, March 2006. The bridge forms part of the Kennedy Dr interchange. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Tweed Heads approaching the Queensland Border, Griffith St and Boundary St, December 2009. Image © Rob Tilley			Blundell Boulevard & Tweed City Shopping Centre Entrance: Minjungbal Dr (former Pacific Hwy) at the entrance to Tweed City Shopping Centre and Blundell Blvd, Tweed Heads South, March 2006. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Minjungbal Dr (former Pacific Hwy) at Tweed Heads South approaching Darlington Dr and what is now Sexton Hill Dr (a later former Pacific Hwy alignment), March 2006. Image © Paul Rands
				Darlington Drive: Off ramp to Darlington Drive at South Tweed Heads, March 2006. Image © Paul Rands

Yelgun to Brunswick Heads:

Preview:	Description:
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at the now former at-grade junction with Tweed Valley Way (former Pacific Hwy) (TD40) at Yelgun, May 2005. Image © Rob Tilley
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Ocean Shores, March 2006. Click here for a close up of the sign by Rob Tilley from May 2005. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Ocean Shores, March 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Ocean Shores, approaching Shara Blvd, March 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Balemo drive: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Balemo Dr at Ocean Shores, March 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	Wilfred Street: Corner of Pacific Hwy (NR1) and Wilfred St at Ocean Shores, March 2006. Image © Paul Rands

1 Roads and Traffic Authority, Schedule of Classified Roads and State & Regional Roads, 31 January 2011
2 Main Roads Board, Annual Report, 1926-27
3 Main Roads Board, Annual Report, 1929-30
4 Main Roads Board, Annual Report, 1930-31
5 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1932-33
6 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1933-34
7 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1934-35
8 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1936-37
9 RTA Thematic History, 2nd Edition, 2006
10 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1946-47
11 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1949-50
12 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1951-52
13 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1952-53
14 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1955-56
15 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1961-62
16 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1962-63
17 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1966-67
18 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1969-70
19 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1971-72
20 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1974-75
21 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1976-77
22 Department of Main Roads, Annual Report, 1977-78
23 Roads and Maritime Services, Project Fact Sheet, Chinderah Bypass
24 Roads and Maritime Services, Yelgun to Chinderah Freeway Official Opening Brochure
25 Transport and Main Roads (Queensland), Projects, Tugun Bypass Project
26 Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Pacific Highway Upgrade, Ballina to Tweed Heads, Completed Projects, Brunswick Heads to Yelgun
27 Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Pacific Highway Upgrade, Ballina to Tweed Heads, Completed Projects, Tugun Bypass
28 Roads and Maritime Services, Pacific Highway upgrade Monthly achievement report, May 2012
29 Roads and Maritime Services, Projects, Pacific Highway Upgrade, Ballina To Tweed Heads, Banora Point.
30 Australasian Tunnelling Society, Yelgun Bypass - Cudgen Road Tunnel

Last updated: 12-Jul-2019 0:06

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