Residents were out in force on Friday to mark the official opening of the $158 million upgrade of the Oxley Highway.
The NSW State funded project saw a six kilometre makeover of the Highway between Wrights Road and the Pacific Highway west of Port Macquarie.
The upgrade was set in motion to improve road safety and travel times for motorists travelling from Wauchope and surrounding areas in and out of Port Macquarie.
However the Oxley Highway upgrade will only be opened to traffic on Tuesday, January 24, weather permitting.
The community members hit the ground running on Friday for the official launch of the stretch.
The Lindfield Park Road area was transformed into a celebration site with stalls, dancers, a parade, a cyclist convoy, a fun kid’s zone, vintage cars and more.
The event, funded and hosted by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) with the support of Port Macquarie Hastings Council, commenced at 5pm with the Badu Indigenous Dancers with RMS Regional manager David Bell and local politicians hitting the podium.
School groups, community organisations and local businesses then participated in a street parade.
Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams said the project is nearing completion but the official opening has been delayed due to ongoing wet weather.
“The opening is great news for the people of the Hastings as well as the many thousands of visitors who travel to Port Macquarie by car,” Mrs Williams said.
For more information on the official opening please contact Roads and Maritime Services on (02) 6640 1300.