Hunter Expressway

Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced a plan to invest A$273m ($213m) over the next ten years to build vital roads and fix congestion pinch points across the Hunter.

The roads package builds on the investment, which is already being undertaken by the government in the region, and will take the total contribution to Hunter infrastructure to more than $1bn ($781m).

The investment is expected to cut down travel times and improve safety, while creating local jobs during construction.

To be funded by Rebuilding NSW, the package will begin in 2015-2016 and will comprise various road projects.

"The investment is expected to cut down travel times and improve safety, while creating local jobs during construction."

An investment of A$2m ($1.56m) will be made to improve access from University Drive into Newcastle University, Callaghan Campus.

The upgrade of the intersections of Pacific Highway and Kahibah Road, and Pacific Highway and Northcott Drive, Highfields will see an investment of A$12m ($9.37m).

The intersection of Griffiths Road and Broadmeadow Road, Broadmeadow will be modernised and would involve $1.5m ($1.17m).

A total of A$8m ($6.25m) will be spent to upgrade the intersections of Industrial Drive and Tourle Street, and Industrial Drive and Werribi Street, Mayfield.

NSW will invest A$2m ($1.56m) to build an overtaking lane westbound on the New England Highway between Golden Highway and Singleton, Whittingham.

Two additional lanes will be constructed on the New England Highway between Racecourse Road and Anambah Road, Rutherford with A$7m ($5.47m) and A$4m ($3.12m) would be spent for planning and pre-construction to widen Hillsborough Road to four lanes between Warners Bay and the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.

Image: NSW will invest A$273m to build vital roads across the Hunter. Photo: courtesy of NSW government.