First Sod Turned on Muswellbrook Bypass

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell has announced today, works on the Muswellbrook Bypass have commenced. 

He was joined by Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway for the announcement this morning.  

The contract for the project's early works has been granted to local Aboriginal-run business Fenech Demolition, which Mr Layzell said is an exciting step forward for the community. 

"The best way to close the gap is to empower Aboriginal businesses to get work, and make sure that they can employ other Indigenous workers," Mr Layzell said. 

Early works for the project will include demolishing houses along the route, and moving utilities around to make way for the bypass. 

It's expected Transport of NSW will develop a shortlist of tenders for the next phase of the project by the middle of the year. 

Image: Transport for NSW

NSW Transport Unveils Newcastle's First Zero Emissions Bus

 BY BELLA MIDDLETON

                                                                                    Picture credit: Australian Manufacturing 

Transport for NSW has launched Newcastle's first zero emission bus at Hamilton Bus Depot. 

The bus is a part of the state government's plan to transition away from diesel-powered vehicles and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. 

NSW Transport North Region Director Anna Zycki, alongside Keolis Downer Hunter General Manager Emmanuel Genlot, unveiled the area's first ZEB before it officially entered passenger service from Customs House on Bond Street. 

"There's a lot of public transport buses in the Hunter area, and the New South Wales government is committed to permanently transitioning away from diesel buses to zero emission technology. This extends that outside of the Sydney region, and into the Hunter," Director Zycki said.

She also said the shift is set to benefit passengers across the region. 

"It's an exciting thing for the Hunter to have. For customers, it's a quieter ride, a smoother ride, and the community will have less noise and better air quality over time." 

New Hunter Rail Freight Link Confirmed

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The corridor for a planned 30 kilometre rail freight link between Fassifern and Hexham has been confirmed by Transport for NSW. 

It's hoped the future link, known as the Lower Hunter Freight Corridor, will alleviate the region's rail congestion, while also better connecting the Port of Newcastle with regional NSW. 

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway, said said the route was developed in collaboration with 570 community members. 

And, Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes, said he hopes the agreed-upon route will benefit both passengers and industry.

"It moves in a north-westerly direction at Fassifern and goes up behind Holmesville and through Minmi, then comes out at Hexham to join the line coming into Newcastle. Then, the line that goes west will eventually link to the inland rail that already links up to the northern line up to Brisbane," Mr Hawes said.  

Mr Hawes added he also hopes community feedback will continue to shape the plans for the link. 

"I have no doubt people out there will be concerned about the environmental impacts, but I'm hopeful that the process they will go through to get the approval before they construct will bear that in mind and mitigate those impacts." 

Hunter residents can now view the plan online, as the project moves towards final design stages and construction. 

The Lower Hunter Freight Corridor has been confirmed by Transport for NSW. 

Dairy Farmers Towers development approved, but light rail future remains unclear

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle Council has given the green light to a $110 million apartment development in Newcastle West, but the move has put future extensions of the light rail in doubt.

It's understood, three of four proposed routes for an extension to Tudor Street run through the Dairy Farmers Corner property, where work will begin on the mixed-use residential-commercial project in coming months.

Transport for NSW okayed the project earlier this year, saying it couldn't say otherwise, because it hadn't come to a decision on where or when a future extension of the light rail might happen.

A fourth corridor floated by the Department avoids the Dairy Farmers site completely, travelling via Selma Street and Gordon Avenue

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says the developer is not to blame, but the State Government should be planning ahead of urban development, rather than around.

Transport for NSW has been approached for comment on the future of the light rail extension.

Meanwhile, the Dairy Farmers Towers development is slated for completion in 2024, the company behind the project saying it was excited to move forward with construction. 

Image credit: Dairy Farmers Towers.

Feedback Sought On Proposed Temporary Closure Of Cessnock Road

 BY IAN CROUCH

The community is being asked for input into plans to close Cessnock Road at Testers Hollow in April to allow work on the road upgrade to continue.

The road would need to be closed from 6pm on a nominated Friday until 5.30am the following Monday with diversions put in place.

It's part of work to raise Cessnock Road by 1.5 metres to avoid future flooding.

The community is being asked to nominate a weekend in April for the closure to occur.

Residents should email Daracon Constructions at testershollow@daracon.com.au or phone 1800 595 220 by March 16 to have their say.

Work is under way to prevent future flooding on Cessnock Road at Testers Hollow

 

Train Chaos Hits The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

No trains will be running in Sydney or across NSW on Monday after talks between Transport for NSW and the Rail Tram and Bus Union broke down on Sunday night.

It means no suburban, inter-urban or country trains will run.

While the union maintains there will only be limited disruptions, the government says the union's ongoing industrial campaign makes it impossible to safely operate services.

Transport for NSW says commuters should make alternative arrangements

Today's disruption follows more than 30 meetings between the union and Transport for NSW over the past six months to resolve a range of claims.

The parties are due back in the Fair Work Commission at 9 o'clock on Monday morning.

Transport for NSW says no trains will run on Monday Picture: Newcastle Weekly

 

Bridge Maintenance Work Getting Under Way At Mulbring

BY IAN CROUCH

Motorists are being advised of changed traffic conditions on Leggetts Drive at Mulbring from Monday night.

The bridge between Whitebridge Road and Lake Road will be undergoing some routine maintenance over the next two weeks.

Transport for NSW crews will carry out bridge inspections, sweeping of the bridge deck, vegetation removal and joint maintenance.

To minimise the impact on motorists, work will be carried out between 7.00pm and 5.00am from Monday to Thursday during the next two weeks, weather permitting.

Lane closures and a 40km/h speed limit will be in place during work hours and may impact travel times.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.

State COVID-19 Support Funds Start Flowing In Lake Macquarie

BY IAN CROUCH

Work is about to begin on landscaping work and pedestrian improvements at Swansea and Warners Bay.

The NSW Government is providing $300,000 to landscape the Pacific Highway roundabout to improve visual amenity when entering Swansea and to rebuild the footpath between Peel Street and the Swansea Bridge.

A further $50,000 is being spent to landscape The Esplanade and King Street roundabout at Warners Bay to improve visual amenity and enhance the line of sight by removing some larger shrubs.

The money is coming from the government's $2.3 billion Health and Economic Stimulus Package aimed at addressing the health and economic impacts associated with COVID-19.

Transport for NSW has engaged Lake Macquarie City Council to carry out the work, which starts today ( 9 June, 2020) at Warners Bay for four nights and at Swansea on Sunday 14 June for two weeks, weather permitting.

Work will be carried out Sundays to Thursdays between 7pm and 5am, weather permitting.

Transport for NSW Regional Director North, Anna Zycki said the government has provided Transport for NSW with funding to bring forward the delivery of projects and activities to support employment, boost business and strengthen communities across the state.

Ms Zycki said the safety of workers and the community would continue to be a priority.

"Efforts have increased to ensure construction workers comply with Australian and NSW public health directions in response to the COVID-19 outbreak," Ms Zycki said.

"Transport for NSW has proactively introduced processes on construction sites, including those being delivered by our local government partners, to reduce the risk of workers being exposed to COVID-19," she said.

Transport for NSW Regional Director North Anna Zycki

  

Improvements On The Way For Busy New Lambton Intersection

BY IAN CROUCH

Work starts today on major improvements to a busy intersection at New Lambton.

Transport for NSW says turning bays are being installed to allow motorists to turn right from St James Road onto Bridges Road.

In addition, motorists will no longer be able to turn right from Bridges Road into St James Road towards New Lambton to help reduce crashes and keep traffic moving on Bridges Road.

Pedestrian safety will also be improved at the intersection by realigning the pedestrian crossings and upgrading the kerb ramps. The project also includes resurfacing the St James Road approach to the intersection, improving line marking and upgrading the traffic lights.

Work will be carried out between 6.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday and will also involve some night work.

The work is due for completion by the end of June.

Bridges Road New Lambton on the southbound approach to St James Road. Picture: ozroads.com.au