Business case completed for upgrade of Port Macquarie’s Wrights Road

THE business case for the Oxley Highway upgrade between Wrights Road and Lake Road has been completed, according to Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer.

“[This is] an important milestone toward delivering a long-term solution to one of our region’s biggest traffic headaches,” Mr Dwyer said after a meeting with Regional Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison.

“There is still work ahead, but this is a very positive step forward for Port Macquarie.

“Community pressure works.”

Mr Dwyer said that the business case is not generally released publicly due to commercial-in-confidence requirements, but stressed the importance of collaboration.

“It is vitally important that Transport for NSW works closely with Council to identify practical short-term traffic solutions.”

Ongoing traffic congestion in the area remains a major concern, particularly with the $265 million redevelopment of Port Macquarie Base Hospital set to progress.

“Minister Aitchison has assured me that Transport for NSW will work closely with Health Infrastructure to coordinate the hospital project, while also implementing short-term measures to ease congestion for local residents,” Mr Dwyer said.

The updates came at the start of National Road Safety Week.

In his capacity as the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads, Mr Dwyer called on motorists to make safer choices behind the wheel.

He said road trauma continues to have a devastating impact on regional communities, including within the Port Macquarie electorate.

“Governments must continue investing in safer roads and stronger infrastructure, but every driver also has a responsibility to make safe choices.”

Between 2020 and 2024, 16 people lost their lives and 199 people were seriously injured on roads across the electorate, resulting in an estimated economic and social cost of $235 million.

By Sue STEPHENSON