With the Singleton Bypass expected to open in late 2026, the long-awaited project celebrated another significant milestone this week.
The first sod was turned on Thursday 5 September, marking the start of major construction.
Preparations have been in full swing in the lead-up to this occasion, with contractor ACCIONA Constructions Australia Pty Ltd finalising the design of the project, too.
A full interchange at Putty Road and connections with the New England Highway at the southern end, the northern end, and at Gowrie Gates will provide connectivity to Singleton.
Six bridges are also slated to be built as part of the venture, including four across the Hunter River floodplain, as well as a northbound climbing lane.
That will allow heavy vehicles to climb the hill without slowing other traffic between Gowrie Gates and the northern connection.
Following additional investigations and constructive engagement with the community, stakeholder and property owners, the design was further refined.
It includes modifying the southern connection and reconfiguring the Putty Road interchange to improve functionality and safety.
“I am delighted the Australian and NSW governments are working together to improve the journeys of people living and working right across the Hunter region,” federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.
“With the first sod turned, we are hitting the ground running on this vital infrastructure project, which will transform the daily lives of so many people.
“It will mean they can get home safer and quicker, spending more time in their communities and less time on the road.”
The $700 million venture will deliver Singleton’s biggest infrastructure project to date, with the Australian Government contributing $560 million and the NSW Government chipping in $140 million.
When completed, the bypass is anticipated to remove one of the Hunter’s most notorious bottlenecks and about 15,000 vehicles each day from the Singleton CBD.
Motorists will also avoid five sets of traffic lights and benefit from improved road safety and reduced travel times.
“Starting construction on the Singleton bypass is one of the ways the NSW Government is delivering top-quality services to regional areas, making sure that our communities have access to the best infrastructure possible,” NSW Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said.
“There’s never been a better time to live in the Hunter.
“With this new bypass, we’re connecting people across NSW and getting them from A to B quicker and safer than ever before.”
NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison agreed.
“I am excited to see major work underway on a project that will transform the way people move around the region,” she said.
“The Liberals and Nationals talked about this venture for years.
“However, it’s taken federal and state Labor governments to deliver it, working together for the communities of the Hunter.
“Agriculture, tourism, mining and manufacturing industries, along with commuters and students, will all benefit every single day from this investment.”
Hunter MP Dan Repacholi said the Singleton Bypass would soon take shape in front of everyone’s eyes.
“The project is also giving the local economy a much-needed boost by supporting more than 1,300 jobs during construction,” he added.
“It’s long overdue and will bring much relief to motorists in the Upper Hunter.”
NSW Labor’s spokesperson for the Upper Hunter Emily Suvaal praised all those involved in the venture.
“The teams from contractor, ACCIONA Constructions, and Transport for NSW deserve a pat on the back for all their hard work getting ready to deliver the biggest road project in Singleton’s history,” she said.
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