Transport for New South Wales is seeking tenders from shortlisted applicants for works on the $450 million section of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass, the fifth section of the project between Rankin Park and Jesmond.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Barnaby Joyce, said the Federal Government has committed $360 million to build this section of road, as part of its record $110 billion ten-year infrastructure pipeline.
“Once the bypass is complete, commuters will enjoy up to an 80 per cent reduction in travel times during the morning and afternoon peaks, bypassing eleven sets of traffic lights between Rankin Park and Jesmond,” Mr Joyce said.
New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads, Andrew Constance, said the New South Wales Government has committed $90 million towards the project, which is expected to create up to 900 jobs during major works.
“The Newcastle Inner City Bypass has been designed to remove up to 30,000 vehicles each day from Lookout Road, Croudace Street and Newcastle Road,” Mr Constance said.
“Utility relocation is continuing at the southern end of the bypass route, with the early works expected to be completed by July 2022.”
Transport for New South Wales called for registrations of interest for the tender process in early 2021, with tenders now called from the three shortlisted contractors:
- John Holland
- Fulton Hogan Construction
- NEWLink – BMD Constructions and Ditchfield Contracting Joint Venture
The tender process will be open for 12 weeks until Friday 17 December.
Transport for New South Wales is working closely with New South Wales Health to ensure the project aligns with work on the John Hunter Health Innovation Precinct project and to provide a second access road to the hospital campus.
The tender for Rankin Park to Jesmond is expected to be awarded early in 2022, with construction starting in the second half of 2022.
The bypass is expected to open to traffic in 2025.
More information about the project is available at: nswroads.work/rp2j.
