With the upgrade of Cessnock Road at Testers Hollow in full swing, the community is invited to have its say on a proposal to temporarily close a section of the road for one weekend.

The closure will allow the work to be carried out more safely and faster.

The Australian and New South Wales governments are jointly funding the $17 million project, with the former committing $15 million and the latter the remaining $2 million.

Patron Senator for the Hunter Region Hollie Hughes said the development would include building a two-lane road that is 1.5 metres higher than the existing thoroughfare.

“After more than 12 months of construction, the community is starting to see the new, higher road take shape and will soon benefit from better connectivity and fewer traffic disruptions during flooding events,” she explained.

“The upgrade of Cessnock Road has been providing a much-needed boost to the local economy, supporting 50 jobs and 10 local suppliers and contractors.

“This is just one example of how our government is getting it done for the people of the Hunter region.

“We’ve got $1.68 billion on the table for the nearby M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace and the Hexham straight widening.

“These projects will deliver 15 kilometres of dual carriageway to improve accessibility, bolster flood immunity, cut travel times and increase road safety – while supporting 3,450 jobs during construction.

“We’ll continue to invest in the infrastructure New South Wales needs, building on the $44 billion we’ve invested in road and rail projects in the state since 2013.”

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said work had reached an important stage, requiring a section of Cessnock Road to be temporarily closed over one weekend.

“The community is being invited to have their say on the closure and the detour route,” he stated.

“We’re building the new road alongside the existing thoroughfare to minimise traffic impacts while work is carried out.

“To work across the full project and complete this as quickly and as safely as possible, we’re proposing to temporarily close the road in both directions from Avery Lane to about 600 metres north over one full weekend.

“This will ensure our workers can safely build a high-quality road surface with less disruption to residents, businesses and road users.”

The temporary closure would take place over a weekend in April to be determined, from 6.30 pm Friday to 5.30 am Monday, weather permitting.

Light vehicles would be detoured via the Hunter Expressway, Buchanan Road, Mount Vincent Road and the New England Highway to rejoin Cessnock Road.

This would add about 18 minutes to travel time.

Heavy vehicles would detour via John Renshaw Drive to the New England Highway, adding about 23 minutes to travel time.

Access for emergency services would be maintained at all times and bus services would continue during the closure.

The community is invited to comment on the proposed detour by Wednesday 16 March by email to testershollow@daracon.com.au or by phone on 1800 595 220.

Transport for NSW will carefully consider the feedback received and keep the community updated on the outcomes and next steps for the project.

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