Project Construction
Current construction activities, information, works completed, maps and timelines.
Latest News - August 2026
Principal contractor announced
Following a competitive procurement process, Bielby Holdings Pty Ltd has been appointed to deliver major restoration works between Big Hill and Blackbird Flat, including 43-kilometre section of Kempsey Road and a 5-kilometre section of Lower Creek Road.
Over the coming months, the contractor will begin site set-up and early works. This includes:
- completing detailed site surveys and investigations
- establishing site compounds and construction facilities
- installing environmental protection measures
- preparing work areas for major construction.
Major restoration works are expected to start in early 2027.
While we prepare for construction to start the road will remain closed to the general public, except for local residents, their visitors, essential and emergency services.
Upcoming construction activities - July to September 2026
As the project prepares for main construction, survey work and site assessments will be taking place across the project. Project team members and contractors will be clearly visible.
Maps, Plans & Design
K2A_2D-map
K2A_3D-Map_v3
K2A_2D-Map Works Complete June 2024
K2A_2D-Map Works Complete June 2024_v2 (PDF 1.4 MB)
K2A 2D-Map Works Complete December 2024
Completed work
Fixing Country Roads and Fixing Local Roads improvement program
The Kempsey-Armidale Road Restoration Project was funded to carry out repair of the road following a series of disasters caused by fire and heavy rains since 2019. The project consists of a number of distinct programs:
- Emergency works soon after the natural disasters
- Reconstruction works to rebuild damaged sections of the road
- Improvement works at specific locations under the Fixing Country Roads and Fixing Local Roads programs
- Main construction works to rebuild the remainder of the road to pre-disaster condition.
The program of improvement works has been carried out at Flying Fox Cutting, Blackbird Flat and at Big Hill.
The overall benefits of the program include:
- Improved and safer local access through restoration of road formation width and rehabilitation of road pavement
- Reduced environmental impacts through restoration of drainage infrastructure and minimisation of future erosion
- Reduced future maintenance costs.
Works carried out:
BIG HILL
Providing improved drainage including dish drains, culverts and outlet scourprotection to manage stormwater to minimise future erosion at three locations. Reinstantingthe road width through widening in sections and slope stabilisation.
GEORGE’S JUNCTION
Drainage rectification.
SIX CURVES
Pavement sealing, slope stabilisation, drainage improvement, pavement sealingand installing retaining walls.
FLYING FOX CUTTING
Providing improved drainage including dish drains, culverts and outletscour protection to manage stormwater and minimise future erosion. Reshaping road width andcrossfall for a section of the road. Completing pavement improvements and seal a section ofthe road.
SMITHS FLAT
Slope stabilisation and drainage imrpovement work.
BLACKBIRD FLAT
Providing improved drainage including dish drains, culverts and outlet scourprotection to manage stormwater and minimise future erosion. Reinstating the road width onapproach to Blackbird Creek bridge. Rehabilitating and reshaping the road to provide cross-fallto dish drains. Spray sealing a section of the road.
Completed works map
Project development documents
K2A Project Roadmap August 2026
K2A Project Roadmap Aug 2026 (170KB)
Review of Environmental Factors (REF) Documents Sep 2025
