Work is surging ahead on the M1 Pacific Motorway extension after recently hitting a significant construction milestone.

Crews drove the final pile to complete the foundation for 11 new bridges between Black Hill and Raymond Terrace.

It now clears the way for the next phase on one of the Hunter’s most important road ventures.

Since February 2024, project teams have installed 278 bridge piles across the 15-kilometre corridor, including 173 for the 2.6-kilometre viaduct that will span the Hunter River and surrounding floodplain.

That’s given road-users access to new structures at Black Hill, Tomago and Raymond Terrace, as well as the Masonite Road bridge at Heatherbrae.

The remaining seven, including the Hunter River viaduct, will open progressively as construction gathers pace.

“These bridge piles are the literal foundations for the nationally-significant M1 extension and getting them in place is a major step forward,” Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

“This is one of the busiest sections of the Pacific Highway.

“So, I’m pleased we’ve delivered this latest stage.”

NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison admitted the finish line was firmly in sight.

“Driving the final pile is a powerful milestone… it means the foundations are done,” she said.

“Along with the Coffs Harbour Bypass, this is a nation-changing piece of infrastructure and the missing link between Queensland and Victoria – which enable everyone to drive between these two states without passing through a single traffic light.

“The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace will transform travel across the Hunter, improving safety, reliability and daily journeys for thousands of motorists.”

M1 to Raymond Terrace – Black Hill to Tomago project

Construction resumes on the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace.

On the night of Wednesday 21 January, northbound traffic will shift to newly-paved lanes between Black Hill and Beresfield.

From Wednesday 21 January to Friday 23 January, weather permitting, work is scheduled on the southbound carriageway of the Pacific Highway between Richardson Road and Masonite Road, requiring a temporary lane closure and reduced speed limit from 110 km/hr to 40 km/h.

Intermittent stoppages will occur for up to 15 minutes from 10pm onwards.

Crews are slated to restart operations across the rest of the project from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday; 8am to 5pm on Saturday; and from 7pm to 5am Monday to Friday.

It’ll also require lane closures with intermittent stoppages and temporary speed reductions to 40km/h at the following locations and times:

From 7pm to 5am, on the nights of Monday 19 January to Friday 23 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 19 January to Friday 23 January

• Lenaghans Drive at Black Hill
• Old Punt Road near Pacific Highway at Tomago
• New England Highway Eastbound at Tarro

Maitland Road, Hexham

Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions on Maitland Road, while construction continues along the Hexham Straight Widening project.

To minimise any impact, it’ll be carried out overnight from 7pm to 5am:

• Traffic will be in a contraflow arrangement on the southbound lanes of Maitland Road and a temporary reduced speed of 40km/h will be in place from Newcastle Inner City Bypass to Sparke Street on Monday 19 January and Tuesday 20 January
• Traffic will be in a contraflow arrangement on the northbound lanes of Maitland Road and a temporary reduced speed of 40km/h will be in place from Newcastle Inner City Bypass to Shamrock Street on Wednesday 21 January
• There will be an increased capacity for motorists travelling northbound on Maitland Road, between Old Maitland Road and Sparke Street, from Wednesday 21 January, weather permitting. There will be an additional travel lane, increasing the road capacity from two to three lanes
• Traffic will be in a contraflow arrangement on the northbound lanes of Maitland Road and a temporary reduced speed of 40km/h will be in place from Newcastle Inner City Bypass to Sparke Street on Thursday 22 January From Monday 19 January to Thursday 22 January, the right-hand turn lane into Newcastle Inner City Bypass will be temporarily restricted. Vehicles travelling southbound will need to detour 800m south via Sandgate Road

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• NSW plans jail time for owners who leave dogs in hot cars
• Port Stephens DV refuge nears completion

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