It was a momentous occasion yesterday as cars started to roll over the freshly-laid highway.
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Everyone had a different reason to remember the day but we’ve collected just a few of the ways you celebrated here.
One Pacifico worker turned to all his colleagues perched above the highway at the new Macksville Hospital site and said: “well, at least we know it works”, before exchanging a round of high fives.
While another worker informed us that there were plans afoot to host a cricket game in the main street of Macksville in the evening—something that would have been classed as an extreme sport on the first day of Christmas holidays in the past.
And the match went ahead with Macksville locals and business owners turning the stretch of highway outside Bonsers into a pitch, complete with rubbish bin wickets.
Ron and Jocelyn Leplaa of Macksville christened the highway with their 1975 sky-blue panel van as the first civilian car to drive across the new stretch.
And Kay Clews, godmother to all three Hughes kids, looked wistfully at the old Macksville Bridge from the new, on her 71st birthday, and remembered the days she would have to dodge cattle while trying to cross.
Watch the video interview by Guardian News’ Jess Wallace
There were more than a few people who burnt through a bit of fuel “trying out” the new highway.
“I’ve now walked it and driven it and if possible I would dance it,” Heather Edwards said.
And there were those who lamented that they left too soon to see it done.
“Clearly I should have left my journey from Taree to Nambucca until later in the day 🙂 I took it most personally that it wasn't open when I went through around 1pm today ha ha! I am looking forward to a smoother journey home again, at least,” Julia Driscoll said.
There were plenty of residents along the old highway who were doing happy dances in their houses at the almost instantaneous reduction in traffic noise.
“At last I can open my front windows and still hear the TVs. No traffic love it,” Carol Hall said.
“Today we have peace and serenity at our place. Absolutely blissful. Can now leave the back door open and my husband and I can have a conversation at normal volume. More importantly I must say that road users are now safer and that equals a reduced road toll. Congratulations to all involved,” Di Carr said.
Many, in fact, reflected on the difference this will make in decreasing the Valley’s road carnage.
“Hopefully less deadly crashes and less hours in ED fixing broken bodies ..my husband had spent many days and night at the Hospital over more than 40 years trying to save lives from Pacific Highway accidents,” Gail Mayze said.
“Nambucca Heads should boom now get in and buy the real estate....my poor old dad saved a lot of lives on the old road and lost a lot also no more floods either awesome congratulations Nambucca Valley,” Tracey Cumberland said.
But there were, of course, those who took the opening with a grain of salt.
“Missing out on semi's on the Macksville bridge is a major loss to all learner drivers. Lol,” Jane O’Dwyer said with her tongue firmly planted in her cheek.
Other than for sheer ‘LOL-factor’, there will not be many that will miss the old Macksville delicacy of truck jam.
Click on the picture below of Uncle Reg Donovan for more footage from Saturday’s opening ceremony.