Early work is set to start on a new bridge on the Golden Highway over Mudies Creek between Belford and Mount Thorley.
The 30-metre structure, near Singleton, will be built about five metres above the current road level, high enough to withstand a one-in-a-100-year flood.
The single-span bridge remains part of the $133 million Golden Highway program, jointly-funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
Transport for NSW regional director north Anna Zycki admitted it would help improve productivity and road safety.
“The Golden Highway is a critical link between the New England and Castlereagh highways, servicing key mining and agricultural activities,” she said.
“So, it’s a vital upgrade to an important regional artery used by 7,000 vehicles daily.
“This project will improve journey reliability during flood events, too.
“The existing culvert over Mudies Creek and its approaches are subject to flooding in a one-in-five-year event, so improving access at this point will deliver significant benefits to local residents and businesses, as well visitors and freight operators.
“It’ll provide a boost to the economy, too, with about 135 jobs to be created during construction.”
The project, being delivered by contractor Acciona, will take approximately 24 months to complete.
The new bridge is expected to open to traffic in mid-2027.
TC Frith Avenue, Speers Point
Survey and drainage investigation work is planned on TC Frith Avenue between Five Islands Road/The Esplanade and Second Street at Speers Point.
At times, one lane will be closed with stop/slow traffic control in place.
The work includes underground utility investigation, as well as opening pit lids and clearing the pits of debris, so cameras can check and survey the network.
To minimise any impacts, it’ll be carried out from 7pm on Monday 23 June to 4am on Tuesday 24 June.
Nelson Bay Road, Fullerton Cove
Maintenance is scheduled on Nelson Bay Road between Cabbage Tree Road and Fullerton Cove Road, Fullerton Cove.
Port Stephens Council will carry out the work, which includes asphalt resurfacing to improve safety for all road-users, on behalf of TfNSW from 7pm on Monday 23 June to 5am on Tuesday 24 June.
William Bailey and Adelaide streets, Raymond Terrace
It’s a similar story for William Bailey and Adelaide streets at Raymond Terrace.
Again, Port Stephens Council is undertaking the task on behalf of TfNSW, 7pm on Monday 23 June to 5am on Tuesday 24 June.
Traffic control, single lane closure, alternative stop/slow and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists.
Weakleys Drive, Beresfield
Maintenance is also planned for Weakleys Drive, Beresfield, under the New England Highway project.
It’ll be carried out in three different stages from 8pm to 4am nightly until Friday 27 June.
- Stage one: Motorists travelling north towards Thornton will not be able to turn right from the Weakleys Drive off-ramp. They’ll need to turn left onto Weakleys Drive and use the roundabout at Canavan Drive to do a U-turn to head north on Weakleys Drive
- Stage two: The Weakleys Drive off-ramp will be closed to motorists travelling north on the New England Highway. They’ll need to continue on the New England Highway to the U-turn bay and then turn left onto Weakleys Drive from the other direction
- Stage three: The right-turn lanes from the Weakleys Drive southbound off-ramp will be closed. Motorists will need to turn left onto Weakleys Drive and use the roundabout at Glenwood Drive to do a U-turn to head south on Weakleys Drive
Over-size over-mass (OSOM) vehicles with overall width of 4.5 metres will be required to contact 0407 568 213 or UHF Channel 21 to be escorted through the site.
M1 to Raymond Terrace – Black Hill to Tomago project
Construction continues along the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace project.
It’ll take place at night at the following location:
- From 7pm to 5am on Tuesday 24 June, Thursday 26 June and Friday 27 June, 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
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 phone 0423 323 946 at least one day ahead of proposed movement.
Significant delays can occur if they fail to do so.
Major work resumes across the remainder of the project from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday; from 8am to 5pm on Saturday; and from 7pm to 5am Monday to Friday.
It’ll 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 23 June until Friday 27 June:
- 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 23 until Friday 27 June:
- Lenaghans Drive at Black Hill
- Old Punt Road near Pacific Highway at Tomago
- New England Highway Eastbound at Tarro
New England Highway, Singleton
Asphalt resurfacing will take place on the New England Highway between Simpson Terrace and While Avenue, north of Singleton.
The work’s slated from 6pm to 6am on Tuesday 24 June and Wednesday 25 June.
And, it’s expected to add about five minutes to travel times.
For the safety of workers and motorists, a reduced 40 km/h speed limit will be in place through the work area.
For more news stories:
- NSW Budget chips in $21.5m to renourish Stockton Beach
- UoN ranked 2nd globally for climate action
- First-of-its-kind therapeutics plant opens in Tomago
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