Intersection upgrades associated with the Port of Newcastle Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) project will ensure changed traffic conditions throughout the region this week.

The NSW Government is funding the works for the state transport network to enable the movement of over-size and/or over-mass (OSOM) vehicles from the Hunter to the Central-West Orana.

It’s understood the impacts along the 320km route will vary as preparatory construction includes road widening, relocating traffic signs, installing new turn lanes and extending drainage and culverts.

Work’s scheduled to be carried out at the following locations between 7am and 7pm:

• The intersection of the Golden Highway and Lonsdale and Pringle streets, Jerrys Plains
• The intersection of the Golden Highway and Vinegaroy Road, Cassilis

“Motorists are reminded to plan their journey as travel times are likely to be longer due to changes to speed limits and turning restrictions,” a Transport for NSW (TfNSW) spokesperson said.

“There could be delays of up to 10 minutes at each site.

“While we make every effort to minimise impacts, the changes needed to safely build these upgrades, combined with routine maintenance work on state roads, will cause unavoidable cumulative traffic interruptions.”

M1 to Raymond Terrace, Black Hill to Tomago

Construction also continues along the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace.

From Thursday 11 September, northbound traffic on the M1 at Black Hill will be diverted onto the previous southbound pavement before returning prior to the M1 intersection with John Renshaw Drive at Beresfield.

Work resumes across the remainder of the project, too, from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday; 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 8 September to Friday 12 September

• 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 8 September to Friday 12 September

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

Maitland Road, Hexham

Construction restarts on Maitland Road this week to continue work on the Hexham Straight Widening project.

To minimize any impacts, 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 Sandgate Cemetery to north of Old Maitland Road on Monday 8 September and Tuesday 9 September, weather permitting. Access to and from Maitland Road via the Newcastle Inner City Bypass will be closed during overnight work. Vehicles travelling southbound on Maitland Road will detour via Sandgate Road, 800m to the south. Vehicles travelling northbound from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass will exit onto Sandgate Road to Maitland Road
• 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 Sandgate Cemetery to north of Old Maitland Road on Wednesday 10 September and Thursday 11 September, weather permitting. During this work, 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

Prior to night work on Monday 8 September and Tuesday 9 September, OSOM operators with a ground contact wider than 3.4m or with overall width greater than 4.5m are advised to contact the project team at least one day ahead of movement on 1800 515 141.

Significant delays will occur if they fail to do so.

Major work also resumes from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday; 7pm to 7am Sunday to Thursday; between 8am and 1pm on Saturday.

New England Highway, Muswellbrook

Essential maintenance is scheduled on the New England Highway at Muswellbrook.

It includes asphalt patching and resurfacing in both directions, from Monday 8 September, from 6pm to 6am.

Lane closures with stop/slow traffic arrangements and a 40km/h speed limit will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists.

However, road-users should allow an additional five minutes’ travel time.

For more news stories:

• Upgrades a boost for motorcycle tourism in Cessnock LGA
• Probe into deadly Upper Hunter police chase
• Newcastle lifeguards prepare for summer after increase in drownings

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