BY IAN CROUCH
Transport for NSW has made some minor design changes to the long-awaited M1 Pacific Motorway extension between Black Hill and Raymond Terrace following community consultation.
The revised plans now include better access to the Hunter Botanic Gardens from the Pacific Highway and changes to the interchange at Old Punt Road to improve connectivity and reduce impact on the proposed AGL gas-fired power plant at Tomago.
The changes also include moving an entry ramp further south to all northbound motorists from Newcastle to join the freeway earlier.
However, there's still no word on when construction of the $2 billion dollar project will start.
Although funding has been locked in, construction is unlikely to start for another three years.
Business groups and the NRMA have called for planning to be fast-tracked so work can start to ease the traffic bottleneck between Hexham and Heathertbrae.
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| The M1 Pacific Motorway Link will alleviate traffic build-up between Hexham and Heatherbrae Picture: Facebook |
