The Federal Transport Minister joined a number of Hunter MPs in the region on Tuesday the 26th of July to announce work to widen the Hexham Straight is now underway.
The project will see the dual carriageway along the the Pacific Highway between the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Hexham Bridge widened from two lanes to three in each direction.
It will also involve the demolition of Ironbark Bridge to make way for two new bridges at Ironbark Creek.
Catherine King said the move will reduce traffic here in the Hunter, and allow motorists to travel from Sydney to Brisbane without encountering any traffic lights.
NSW Roads Minister John Graham also attended the announcement and says he expects thousands of jobs will be delivered for the Hunter over the course of the Hexham project, and the extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway out to Raymond Terrace.
He said the upgrade will deliver more reliable travel times for freight vehicles and commuters alike.
"This is a notorious bottleneck; motorists have queued here over generations as the Pacific Highway has become smoother and smoother, but the run has often ended here in congestion. That will cease when these works are delivered."
"It's great news for motorists right across NSW."
The Hexham upgrade is expected to be completed by 2026, and the M1 extension should be finished by 2028.
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| ( From Left to Right:) Kate Washington, John Graham, Dan Repacholi, Catherine King and Tim Crakanthorp |
