THE Coffs Harbour Bypass is of interest to almost all residents, and, while the concept is almost unanimously welcomed, a number of people are concerned that the details may not all be what the community hopes for.

Sapphire Beach resident Tom Caldwell noticed that the design for tunnels has changed since the initial concept plans were released.

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He points out that the concept design provided for a 1.5 metre maintenance access path, a vehicular traffic provision of 14.0 metres and a 1.0 metre cycle path for an overall width of 16.5 metres.

The revised design keeps the 1.5 metre maintenance access path but now makes only 7.0 metres for the two 3.5 metre traffic lanes (as before), with the shoulder now only on one side and just 2.5 metres and shared by cyclists.

This revised tunnel width is 11.0 metres, much narrower than the 16.5 metres in the concept design.

Mr Caldwell is concerned that the original width could have allowed for a third lane of traffic in the future, but that option is now gone.

As well, cyclists originally had a dedicated 1.0 metre cycle path plus a free shoulder of 4.5 metres between them and the traffic lanes but now have only the 2.5 metre shoulder to ride in next to two vehicular traffic lanes that will host large vehicles.

Mr Caldwell said, “After a long wait, it seems like we’re being short changed on the tunnels.

“I am concerned that the bypass could be redundant before it’s finished.”

A spokesperson for Transport NSW told News Of The Area that the Coffs Harbour bypass design changes for cyclists were made during the development of the reference design for tender.

He said that once the refined designs were made, the project team consulted with Coffs Harbour City Council, the Community Consultative Committee and other stakeholder groups who represented cyclists.

According to the spokesperson, the road environment provided in the Coffs Harbour Bypass tunnels is consistent with other recently-upgraded sections of the Pacific Highway with a 2.5m shoulder, two 3.5 metre travel lanes and a two metre shoulder on the right hand side when travelling.

Transport for NSW encourages cyclists who are not comfortable cycling on the shoulder to use alternative roads for cycling, including the Solitary Island Way, the existing highway and Hogbin Drive.

By Andrew VIVIAN