The first sod turn on the Singleton bypass in New South Wales has marked the beginning of major construction on the $700 million project, which is Singleton’s biggest infrastructure project to date.
The Federal Government contributing $560 million and the New South Wales Government contributing $140 million will remove one of the Hunter region’s most notorious bottlenecks and around 15,000 vehicles each day from the Singleton CBD.
Contractor Acciona Constructions Australia Pty Ltd has finalised the design of the project, which when completed will aid motorists in avoiding five sets of traffic lights.
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Six bridges will be built as part of the project, including four across the Hunter River floodplain. As well as a northbound climbing lane which will allow heavy vehicles to climb the hill between Gowrie Gates and the northern connection.
Following additional investigations and constructive engagement with the community, stakeholder and property owners, the design has been further refined to include modifying the southern connection and reconfiguring the Putty Road interchange.
Catherine King Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister said this infrastructure projectwill transform the daily lives of many around the Hunter region.
“Today is a landmark day for the Singleton community and I am delighted the Federal and NSW governments are working together to improve the journeys of people living and working right across the Hunter region,” she said.
“It will mean people can get home safer and quicker, spending more time in their communities and less time on the road.”
Yasmin Catley NSW Minister for the Hunter said the project will soon make travel safer, faster, and more efficient for everyone.
“Starting construction on the bypass is one of the ways the NSW Government is delivering top-quality services to regional areas, making sure that our communities have access to the best infrastructure possible,” she said.
“There’s never been a better time to live in the Hunter. With this new bypass, we’re connecting people across NSW and getting people from A to B quicker and safer than ever before.”
The Singleton Bypass is expected to open to traffic in late 2026.