Contracts for the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace have been awarded for the northern and southern sections of the project, following the project receiving approval under national environment law by the Federal and New South Wales Governments.
The John Holland Gamuda Australia Joint Venture has been awarded the southern section of the project, covering a ten kilometre section extending from Black Hill to Tomago.
Seymour Whyte Constructions will deliver the northern contract, completing the five-kilometre section that will bypass Heatherbrae.
Receiving the green light from the Federal and New South Wales Governments means the works can begin on the $2.1 billion project which will extend the M1 Pacific Motorway by 15km from Black Hill to Raymond Terrace, including a 2.6km long bridge over the New England Highway and Hunter River.
The project is jointly funded, with the Australian Government contributing $1.68 billion, and the New South Wales Government investing $420 million.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King, said the Federal Government is committed to working with all state and territory governments to deliver a safe and efficient road network across the nation.
“The M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace will be a key link in this vital piece of the nation’s infrastructure,” Ms King said.
“Demand on the road network in this area is only expected to increase as local populations grow. We know that extending the M1 will provide improved traffic flow and increased connectivity.
“Getting the official tick to move forward is exciting news for the community as we continue to build the infrastructure that communities in regional New South Wales deserve.”
The surrounding network will also be upgraded, including the Hexham Straight Widening of around six kilometres of the Pacific Highway/Maitland Road to three lanes in each direction between the Newcastle Inner City Bypass at Sandgate and the New England Highway at Hexham Bridge.
Once complete, the extension will create more efficient and reliable journeys by bypassing five sets of traffic lights, and removing about 25,000 vehicles a day from key congestion and merge points between Newcastle and Maitland.
New South Wales Regional Transport and Roads Minister, Sam Farraway, said the New South Wales Government is building the infrastructure that matters to keep the state moving forward.
“This project is also set to create better access for key employment areas and support freight servicing the Hunter Valley mining industry, the Port of Newcastle and interstate freight – meaning it will have local, regional and national economic benefits.
“We now have the official planning approval to get on with the job of delivering one of the biggest infrastructure projects the Hunter region has ever seen to make daily life easier for families, businesses and truckies.”
The project is expected to be open to traffic in mid-2028, weather permitting.
Federal Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson, said this is an exciting step forward in this project, which is the last remaining bottleneck on the Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane – and even better that it happened ahead of schedule.
“I know Hunter locals who frequently travel between Maitland and Newcastle are very much looking forward to this extension, making for a safer and faster journey,” Ms Swanson said.
“I have been focused on this as a priority project since my election seven years ago, and it’s great to be working alongside the Federal and New South Wales Governments to make it a reality.”
