Work begins this week to fix one of the region’s most dangerous intersections, but two other long-discussed road priorities could remain on the backburner.

Preliminary planning works will start this week at the Alphadale and Cowlong roads intersection on the Bruxner Highway, with lane closures in place from 6pm to 6am over three nights.

The upgrade, which includes new traffic lights, was funded in the latest NSW Budget following a strong campaign by Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, who promised to deliver a fix after years of serious and fatal crashes at the site.

While the thousands of locals who travel between Ballina and Lismore each week welcome the action at Alphadale, the announcement has reignited frustration over why the Cumbalum interchange – arguably Ballina’s most pressing infrastructure need – remains incomplete more than a decade after it was first built.

No Fatalities = No Funding?

Ballina’s northern gateway, the Cumbalum interchange, still lacks a north-facing off-ramp and south-facing on-ramp. These were deliberately left out when the bypass opened in the early 2000s in an effort to save money and preserve passing traffic for Ballina businesses.

But circumstances have changed significantly.

The Cumbalum residential estate has grown rapidly. The Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is now one of the fastest-growing regional airports in NSW. The adjoining industrial precinct continues to expand.  And during the devastating 2022 floods, many residents in North Ballina were effectively cut off – an event that underscored the area’s lack of alternative access routes.

Yet despite this, the upgrade still isn’t happening. In a briefing to Ballina Shire Council, Transport for NSW officials confirmed that completing the ramps is not considered a priority. 

Because the ramps don’t exist – and therefore have no crash data – the project doesn’t qualify under the state’s funding criteria, which are heavily driven by recorded accident statistics.

“It’s a funding model that rewards blackspots, not smart planning,” one official told Ballina News Daily. “Unfortunately, roads that are missing completely don’t tick any boxes.”

Instead, funding is being directed toward higher-risk locations like the Harrington intersection near Taree, where there is no interchange or overpass.   Drivers there are forced to cross four lanes of fast-moving M1 traffic, making it a dangerous crossing and a top priority for scarce state funding.

Alstonville On-Ramp May Go On Hold

According to the same Transport Department insider, a similar scenario is unfolding at Alstonville, where a proposed westbound on-ramp from Wardell Road to the bypass may also go on the backburner.

Originally proposed after a series of serious crashes at the Ballina Road intersection, the idea has lost traction since a simple change -banning right-hand turns between 3 pm and 6 pm – significantly reduced incidents.

Ballina Shire Councillor Simon Kinny said there’s now little appetite for the project.

“Locals feel the changes are working well. Council hasn’t supported it, and I haven’t heard community calls for it to go ahead,” he said.

 “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it  – especially when the fix may cost millions.”

Dr Kinny added that any available funding should go where it’s most needed.

“Finishing the Cumbalum interchange would ease congestion, benefit the airport precinct, and support a growing community. It’s a smarter investment.”

But without a political champion at the state or federal level – where the real funding decisions are made, there’s little chance of progress.   While the Mayor and local councillors like Dr Kinny continue to highlight the need, their influence only goes so far.

Frustrated residents may keep raising the issue on social media, but without backing from higher up, Ballina’s most-wanted road project is likely to remain on the shelf for years to come.

Main Photo: Mayor Sharon Cadwallader and Ballina Shire Council Infrastructure Director John Truman show the Cumbalum interchange to Anna Watson, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads in 2024.

⚠️ Bruxner Highway Roadworks Alert

When: Monday 7 to Thursday 10 July, 6 pm – 6 am
Where: Bruxner Highway at Alphadale/Cowlong Road intersection
What to expect: Lane closures, brief stoppages, and delays of up to five minutes
Advice: Drive to conditions and follow traffic control directions