Kempsey-Armidale Road Restoration Project (K2A)

Restoring the Kempsey-Armidale Road

Rebuilding an important regional transport link following extensive natural disasters


The Kempsey-Armidale Road remains closed west of Bellbrook.

Access is only permitted to residents, their visitors and essential and emergency services.

The road will remain closed until the main restoration works are complete (due in late 2029, weather permitting).

Principal contractor announced.

Following a competitive tender process, Bielby Holdings Pty Ltd has been appointed to deliver the main restoration works, including 43 kilometres of Kempsey Road and 5 kilometres of Lower Creek Road.


Restoration Progress

  • 43kms of Kempsey Road being restored
  • 5kms of Lower Creek Road being restored
  • Completion: Late 2029 (weather permitting)
  • Funding; Australian and NSW governments
  • Delivered by: Armidale Regional Council
Project Map

Project Development


Interactive Timeline

(Click on the timeline date to review the activity)

  1. Q2 2020
  2. Q4 2022
  3. Q1 2023
  4. Q3 2023
  5. Q4 2023
  6. Q1 2024
  7. Q2 2024
  8. Q3 2024
  9. Q4 2024
  10. Q1 2025
  11. Q2 2025
  12. Q3 2025
  13. Q4 2025
  14. Q1 2026
  15. Q2 2026
  16. Q3 2026
  17. Q4 2026
  18. Q1 2027
  19. Q2 2027
  20. Q4 2029
  1. Q2 2020

    • Initial Disaster Response begins and emergency works

  2. Q4 2022

    • Initial disaster response ends

  3. Q1 2023

    • Early contractor involvement starts

  4. Q3 2023

    • Review of Environmental Factors (REF) starts
    • Early Contractor Involvement ongoing

  5. Q4 2023

    • Pre-delivery phase starts
    • Review of Environmental Factors ongoing
    • Early Contractor Involvement ongoing

  6. Q1 2024

    • Early contractor involvement stage ends
    • Pre-delivery phase ongoing
    • Review of Environmental Factors ongoing

  7. Q2 2024

    • Independent Project Status Review
    • Pre-delivery phase ongoing
    • Review of Environmental Factors ongoing

  8. Q3 2024

    • Improvement Works Program starts - Fixing Country Roads and Fixing Local Roads funding
    • Pre-delivery phase ongoing
    • Review of Environmental Factors ongoing

  9. Q4 2024

    • Review of Environmental Factors finalised
    • Revised essential public asset restoration (EPAR) funding approved
    • Pre-delivery phase ongoing

  10. Q1 2025

    • Pre-delivery phase ongoing
    • Tender Expression of Interest (EOI) released

  11. Q2 2025

    • Improvement Works Program completed - Fixing Country Roads and Fixing Local Roads funding
    • Pre-delivery phase ongoing

  12. Q3 2025

    • REF determination received
    • Pre-delivery phase ongoing

  13. Q4 2025

    • Request for tender (RFT) issued to 3 shortlisted tenderers
    • Pre-delivery phase ongoing

  14. Q1 2026

    • Pre-delivery phase ongoing
    • Evaluation of RFT

  15. Q2 2026

    • Pre-delivery phase ongoing
    • Evaluation of RFT

  16. Q3 2026

    • Award of contract

  17. Q4 2026

    • Site investigations
    • Geo-technical work

  18. Q1 2027

    • Site investigations ongoing

  19. Q2 2027

    • Detailed design (initial package)
    • Mobilisation of batch plant site camp
    • Main construction works start

  20. Q4 2029

    • Project close-out

Project Map

3D map showing a yellow route through rugged mountains, labeled “Project ISO Map.”

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