Delivering the Newcastle inner city bypass
NSW Premier Mike Baird today announced the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will fund the final stage of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass – which will deliver enormous benefits to motorists in the Hunter who will avoid 11 sets of traffic lights.
Mr Baird made the Budget announcement today in Newcastle, where he was joined by Minister for the Hunter Gladys Berejiklian and local MPs Craig Baumann (Port Stephens), Andrew Cornwell (Charlestown), Garry Edwards (Swansea), Tim Owen (Newcastle) and Robyn Parker (Maitland).
“Hunter residents and businesses expect and deserve modern infrastructure, which is why we are investing $280 million dollars towards the fifth and final stage of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass Bypass, and next week’s budget will include $150 million of this funding from Restart NSW.
“This investment in the Rankin Park to Jesmond section of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass is in addition to the infrastructure we will deliver across the Hunter using funds from the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund.
“The NSW Government is determined to transform the Hunter, which is why we are getting on with the job of delivering infrastructure across the region.”
Ms Berejiklian said the NSW Government is committed to improving infrastructure in the Hunter.
“This is a significant project for the Hunter and with the funding contained in Tuesday’s Budget we can now complete this important road link,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This upgrade will significantly improve traffic flows in Newcastle – which is fantastic news for Hunter motorists.
Sections of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass Bypass have opened progressively since the early 1980s – we are now getting on with the job of finishing this project.
“This is a Government that is delivering for the Hunter, whether it’s major road projects, light rail to revitalise the Newcastle CBD or investments in health, education and services.”
Minister for Roads Duncan Gay said the Newcastle Inner City Bypass is part of Roads and Maritime’s long-term strategy to provide an orbital road to link Newcastle’s road network.
“This landmark project has been underway for decades and I am proud to be part of a Government that is providing the funding to complete this important project,” Mr Gay said.
“This is a $280 million project which is fully funded by the NSW Government. This comprises $150 million from Restart NSW, while the remainder will be funded through the roads portfolio in line with the construction schedule.
“The Rankin Park to Jesmond section of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass will provide traffic relief to the surrounding road network, in particular the existing route of Lookout Road, Croudace Street and Newcastle Road.
“We will shortly carry out the environmental assessment and finalise the concept design for this stage of the road.
“After the EIS is displayed and community feedback is sought we could see planning approval as early as next year with construction to begin in 2017.”
The Rankin Park to Jesmond section of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass will be 3.4 kilometres of four-lane divided road and will include:
- A grade-separated interchange at the northern connection with the existing Newcastle Road to Shortland section of the bypass
- Potential for a connection to the rear of John Hunter Hospital
- Bridge structures along the route to provide drainage, fauna movements and bushwalker access
- A grade-separated interchange with Lookout Road and McCaffrey Drive at the southern connection.