The state government has responded to calls for a second access to the John Hunter Hospital from the proposed 5th stage of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.
The original plans called for a half interchange which only provided access to the hospital for vehicles travelling to and from the north.
Hospital staff, the Health Services Union and the wider community expressed concerns that a half interchange would be inadequate especially for ambulances and patients needing to access the emergency department.
Today, the government committed a further $13 million on top of the $280 million set aside for stage five of the bypass to ensure a full interchange is built.
Roads and Maritime Services will release revised plans for the interchange and commission an environmental impact study.
It's hoped work on the interchange will commence at the end of 2018.
While there's no timeline yet for construction of the 5th stage of the bypass, it's anticipated to be finished in the next three of four years.
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| Parliamentary Secretary For The Hunter, Scot MacDonald, RMS Regional Manager Anna Zycki and Hunter New England health CEO Michael DiRienzo At Today's Announcement |
