A FURTHER eight kilometres of the Pacific Hwy upgrade has been opened to traffic.

The section between Wells Crossing and Glenugie was opened last week.

Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, said the finish line for the duplication of the Pacific Highway between Hexham and the Queensland border was now firmly in sight

“This is the second last section to open between Woolgoolga and Ballina,” Mr Hogan said.

“The entire 155-kilometre Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade is due to be completed next month.”

The last piece of the Pacific Hwy upgrade to be completed is the 15 kilometre section between Devils Pulpit and Woodburn.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said when completed the new duplicated highway will not only be safer but deliver a time saving for motorists as well.

“The travel distance between Woolgoolga and Ballina will be about 13km shorter and about 25 minutes faster,” Mr McCormack said.

When the final section of the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade of the Pacific Hwy is complete, work is expected to begin on the Coffs Harbour bypass after NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes gave the green light for the construction of the $1.8 billion project last month.

The 14 kilometre bypass will include the construction of three tunnels between Englands Rd in the south to Sapphire in the north.

The tunnels, which was the preferred community option over road cuttings, will be built at Roberts Hill, Shephards Lane and Gatleys Rd.

The tunnels range in length between 190 metres and 450 metres.