Early works are now underway on the Singleton Bypass in New South Wales, with major construction on the project set to get underway in late 2023.
Early works will include the installation of fencing along the corridor, demolition of existing buildings and relocation of utilities. Additional geotechnical investigations and surveys will also be carried out.
The New England Highway is part of the inland Sydney to Brisbane National Land Transport Network and the primary route connecting the Upper Hunter with Maitland and Newcastle. The highway passes through the centre of Singleton and carries around 26,000 vehicles, including more than 3700 heavy vehicles, each day.
The Singleton Bypass will aim to improve traffic flow, travel times and safety throughout Singleton by reducing traffic, including heavy freight.
Following community consultation, designs for the bypass will include a new interchange, as well as a new 600-metre-long bridge to connect southern traffic. The bypass design also includes a dual carriageway, to cater for future traffic demands.
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The project is being built under a design and construct contact with tenders expected to be awarded in mid-2023.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the Federal Government was proud to invest in the “vital bypass”.
“This will benefit communities and businesses around Singleton by boosting freight productivity while safely and more quickly connecting people with jobs and services,” King said.
State Member for the Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said he was pleased that the bypass will include a full interchange, as well as a new bridge for southern connections.
“The Singleton bypass will not only bust congestion but it will improve connectivity, take trucks out of the main township and, importantly, support more than 1,300 jobs during construction,” Layzell said.
Major construction works will begin in late 2023, with the bypass due to open to traffic in late 2026, weather permitting.
The project is being jointly funded by the NSW State ($140 million) and Federal ($560 million) governments.