The project many people claimed would never eventuate, the Singleton Bypass, is one step closer to reality this week.
Hunter motorists sampled the first small section of the $700 million venture, with traffic switched onto a newly-built section of road on the future Southern Connection between White Falls Lane and just past Newington Lane.
Those heading out of Singleton on the New England Highway can now use the southbound on-ramp, while northbound vehicles are being diverted onto an off-ramp that passes beneath one of the undertaking’s new bridges.
“This is progress everyone will be able to see and feel,” federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.
“2026 is a year of action on the Singleton Bypass.
“It means from 2027, Singleton will no longer have B-doubles and thousands of cars moving down the main street every day.
“Instead, through traffic should coast past on the new bypass, while those who want to stop in town to take a break and purchase a meal will enjoy lower congestion volumes.”
Once complete, the Singleton Bypass – courtesy of a $560 million Commonwealth investment and a further $140 million from the state – is slated to remove up to 15,000 vehicles a day from Singleton’s main street.
It’ll allow motorists to avoid five sets of lights, too.
“It’s fantastic to see the Singleton Bypass powering forward with the first traffic switch,” NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said.
“This project is about giving people more time back in their day, whether that’s parents getting to school drop-off, seeing friends on the weekend or simply making it home for dinner.
“So, it’s going to make a real difference to the daily lives of this community for generations to come.”
The eight-kilometre Singleton Bypass will run from near Newington Lane in the south, just past Magpie Street in the north, featuring a full interchange at Putty Road and key connections to the New England Highway at the southern and northern ends at Gowrie.
Major progress has already been made, with all six bridges nearing completion – including the 1.6-kilometre structure across the Hunter floodplain.
“This is exactly the kind of investment our region needs – getting heavy traffic out of Singleton and making everyday trips quicker and safer for locals,” Hunter MP Dan Repacholi said.
“It’s great to see this project taking shape, because it means less time on the road and more time where it matters for Hunter families.”
For more news stories:
- Heatherbrae Bypass complete as M1 extension fast-tracked for early opening
- KFC lodges $3.6m plans for Jesmond site
- Long-awaited $48.26m project reconnects Merriwa to Willow Tree
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