With the weather clearing, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) will undertake several jobs throughout the Hunter this week.
Improvement work is starting on the roundabout at Newcastle Road and Thomas Street in Wallsend.
It’s being carried out to facilitate over-size over-mass (OSOM) vehicles travelling from the Port of Newcastle and other local industrial areas through Newcastle to access the M1 Motorway and M15 Hunter Expressway.
It is scheduled from 7pm to 5am on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 January and expected to be completed by 5am on Friday 24 January.
“A detour will be in place during the work with lane closures on the westbound approach to the roundabout and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h,” a TfNSW spokesperson said.
“Motorists won’t be able to continue straight through the roundabout onto Newcastle Road or turn right onto Longworth Avenue from the roundabout.
“However, they can access Longworth Avenue using the detour in place via Thomas Street, directing traffic back to the roundabout to turn left onto Longworth Avenue.
“Freight operators unable to use the detour will be required to use an alternate route, utilising the Transfield Avenue roundabout to U-turn back onto Newcastle Link Road, travelling eastbound on Thomas Street to access Longworth Avenue.
“Operators should allow an additional 10 minutes of travel time.
“Traffic control, a temporary reduced speed limit of 40km/h and single lane closures will remain in place for the duration of work.
“Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed, unless an updated licence is obtained from the NHVR.”
Swansea Bridge
Motorists are advised of changed overnight traffic conditions on Swansea Bridge to carry out maintenance, which includes upgrades to the control room roof and installation of new marine Variable Message Signs (VMS).
It’ll occur from 8pm to 5am each night until Thursday 23 January.
Contraflow and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be in place for southbound traffic for four nights from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 January.
That then transfers to those travelling northbound on Thursday 23 January.
The marine VMS will be out of commission until Wednesday 22 January.
Vessels are required to use existing red/green navigation lights when entering the lake.
The bridge will be closed to marine traffic while the work takes place.
Heavy vehicles with a width greater than 2.5m will not be permitted through the site and are required to find an alternative route.
Newcastle Inner City Bypass at Garden Suburb
Road surface maintenance work is scheduled for the Newcastle Inner City Bypass at Garden Suburb.
Staring from Monday 20 January, it’ll be carried out between 7.30pm and 4pm, from Sundays to Thursdays, over the next three weeks.
A reduced speed limit of 40km/h is in place for northbound traffic during the work.
M1 to Raymond Terrace project
Work also continues along the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace.
From Thursday 23 January, Pacific Highway traffic will be diverted onto a section of the new road to allow the project team to build a pavement over the existing thoroughfare.
The northbound flow is slated for movement first, followed by the southbound lanes about three-to-four weeks later.
During the opening stage, there will be no access from the northbound lanes into the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens.
This is expected to last about three-to-four weeks.
During this time, motorists are asked to head further north to the Heatherbrae roundabout where they can turn around and access the gardens from the southbound lanes.
If this work is delayed due to weather, it’ll be rescheduled to the following week.
To minimise the impact, work’s planned at the following locations:
- From 7pm to 5am on Monday 20, Tuesday 21 and Thursday 23 January, the eastbound off-ramp from the New England Highway to Anderson Drive will be closed with a detour in place via New England Highway/Maitland Road, weather permitting
- From 7pm to 5am on Monday 20, Tuesday 21 and Thursday 23 January, the John Renshaw Drive slip lane (westbound from New England Highway) will be closed with a detour in place via Weakleys Drive to John Renshaw Drive and the M1 Motorway. This detour is unsuitable for vehicles operating on the SPV Level 6, SPV Level 4 and 12t/ axle and SPV Level networks. OSOM and special purpose vehicles will be escorted through the closure
Operators of OSOM vehicles with a ground contact wider than 3.2 metres or with overall width greater than 4.5 metres are advised to contact the project team on 0423 323 946 at least one day ahead of proposed movement.
Significant delays can occur if they fail to do so.
Major construction resumes across the remainder of the project from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday; 8am to 5pm Saturday; and 7pm to 5am Monday to Friday.
The work will also require lane closures with intermittent stoppages and temporary speed reductions to 40km/h at the following locations and times:
From 7pm to 5am, Monday 20 January to Friday 27 January
- M1 Pacific Motorway at Beresfield and Black Hill
- John Renshaw Drive at Beresfield
- New England Highway at Tarro
- Pacific Highway at Tomago and Heatherbrae
From 7am to 5pm, Monday 20 January to Friday 27 January
- Lenaghans Drive at Black Hill
- Old Punt Road near Pacific Highway at Tomago
- New England Highway Eastbound at Tarro
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers.
For the latest updates, download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit livetraffic.com or phone 132 701.
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