AFTER a lengthy delay the $17 million Kirkwood Rd eastern interchange project at Tweed Heads South is back on track.

But the 80km roadwork speed limit and narrowed shoulder on the Pacific Hwy, near the South Tweed exit heading south, will remain in place until the project's completion.

Contractors SEE Civil began construction in early 2012 and were powering along on the project until soil settlement issues put a spanner in the works in April this year.

Pre-loading of deep soft soils did not achieve settlement results required to stabilise the site near the project's on ramp/off ramp roundabout.

Project manager Jason Young announces it was estimated the project would be completed early next year.

"The underlying deep soft soils required pre-loading, which is adding fill to weigh down and stabilise the soil base, to allow this section of the project to continue," he said.

"An independent engineering assessment has now shown that the settlement has slowed down sufficiently for the pre-load to be removed.

"This means that the project can start again in those areas which were off-limits and we anticipate completion of the project early next year."

Tweed Shire Council expects the Kirkwood Rd extension will create a more efficient road network for Tweed residents by improving traffic movements throughout Tweed Heads South.

Stage one of the project will provide alternate access to the Tweed Heads South business district, which will become a significant east-west corridor.

The second stage of the project, from the Pacific Highway west to Fraser Dr, is currently not funded.

For more information about the Kirkwood Road project, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au.