Kempsey bypass project

Challenge

The $618M Kempsey Bypass project was approved by the New South Wales (NSW) Government in July 2008 and was jointly funded through the Building Australia Fund by the NSW and Australian Governments.

The 14.5 km project is part of the larger 40 km Kempsey to Eungai Pacific Highway Upgrade project and connects with a new bridge over the Macleay River and Floodplain which, at 3.2 km in length, will become the longest bridge in Australia.

SLR was commissioned by the Roads and Maritime Services Leightons Alliance to provide ongoing noise and vibration consultancy services associated with the construction and operation of the project.

The project involves a mix of duplication where it links in with the existing highway and is close to residential areas (including sensitive receivers such as schools and churches) and a new carriageway section through a flood plain area.

Solution

SLR undertook the following works:

• Environmental Assessment
  Provided a Noise and Vibration Design Report covering both construction and operational phases to update the original environmental assessment incorporating the to-be-built design alignment
• Design Phase
  Baseline noise surveys to validate the operational noise predictions and mitigation outcomes involving low-noise pavements, noise walls and property treatments, construction noise and vibration management plan
• Stakeholder Engagement
  Community consultation
• Construction Phase
  Construction noise and vibration monitoring
• Post-Opening Phase
  Post-compliance (operational) noise monitoring and residual
  property treatments