EVERYONE is invited to the Kempsey Bypass Open Day on Sunday, February 24.
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This is the day the Macleay community will have its first opportunity to walk on Australia's longest bridge.
The NSW Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) is inviting people to an open day event, allowing the public to walk along the 3.2km-long construction that is the centrepiece of the Kempsey bypass.
Free shuttle buses will run regularly to the Macleay Floodplain Bridge from three pick-up points.
The first buses will set off at 8.30am from the Kempsey Showground, on Sea St; Stuart St, in the CBD; and Gladstone playing fields, Barnard St.
The event will run from 9am until noon.
There will be members of the construction project team available at information stalls to address any inquiries from the public.
Bus tours, children’s entertainment, local music and a sausage sizzle will run throughout the morning.
RMS general manager of the Pacific Hwy Bob Higgins encouraged the community to board the buses.
“It’s an opportunity to see and walk the longest bridge in Australia and the completed Kempsey Bypass project first hand before it is open to traffic,” he said.
“Designing and building the Kempsey Bypass project is a significant achievement for the project team.
“The team worked closely with local landowners and farmers to minimise potential flooding impacts.
“Increasing the bridge length and removing embankments has allowed RMS to provide increased flood immunity to a one in 100 year flood event.
“The 14.5km Kempsey bypass is an important part of the Pacific Hwy upgrade, and will provide significant benefits to the community - including improved safety, reduced travel times and improved amenity for the local community.”
There will be no access to private vehicles for the event.
The bypass is on schedule to be completed before Easter 2013, weather permitting.
For more information about the Kempsey bypass visit rms.nsw.gov.au, or call the toll-free information line on 1800 306 004.
The bypass has been fully funded by the federal government.