Tintenbar-Ewingsdale approved | Northern Rivers News | Local News in Northern Rivers

THE Tintenbar-to-Ewingsdale upgrade of the Pacific Highway is scheduled for completion in 2014.

The planning and construction approval for the 17km stretch of dual carriageway was announced last week by the Minister for Planning, Infrastructure and Lands, Tony Kelly.

The $780 million project, beginning at the northern end of the Ballina bypass at Ross Lane, will mean motorists will travel on dual carriageway from Ballina north to the Queensland border.

Construction is expected to start early next year, and Mr Kelly said 44 conditions had been placed on the project to minimise the impact on land, including water catchments.

President of the Water Catchers and Water Drinkers of Ballina Shire, Robert Deards, said the route would pass through the Emigrant Creek catchment and adversely impact on the quality of the water supplied to 30,000 citizens in Ballina Shire, saying the quality would be below Australian standards.