Kempsey-Armidale Road restoration a step closer

Published on 27 March 2025

Armidale Regional Council is seeking a main works contractor for the Kempsey-Armidale Road Restoration Project (K2A), one of the most ambitious road projects undertaken by a NSW council.

This essential initiative will restore 43 km of the Kempsey-Armidale Road and 5.1 km of Lower Creek Road, reversing the damage caused by devastating natural disasters, including bushfires in 2019 and floods in 2020 and 2022.

Jointly funded by the Australian and NSW State Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the project aims to:

• Restore essential road access and function through pavement and batter restoration works in line with pre-disaster condition
• Improve resilience and reduce erosion risk via reinstatement of effective drainage infrastructure
• Reduce long-term maintenance through restoration that meets contemporary engineering standards.

K2A is a vital corridor connecting Armidale to the coast, supporting local communities, agriculture, and tourism in both the Armidale and Kempsey regions. The road is currently closed between Big Hill and Blackbird Flat, except for essential travel by residents, emergency, and essential services.

The procurement process consists of two phases: Expressions of Interest (EOI) from experienced and qualified organisations will form the first phase. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to proceed to the request for tender stage. Submissions can be made via Armidale Regional Council's electronic tendering platform, VendorPanel. For more details, visit the Council website.

This project is a critical step towards rebuilding vital infrastructure and ensuring a resilient future for the region.