The new M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace has opened, with motorists being warned to expect changed traffic conditions across the Hunter.
The northbound carriageway opened in the early hours of Thursday, 10 September, while the southbound carriageway is expected to open in the early hours of Friday, 11 September.
The extension connects the M1 from Black Hill through to Raymond Terrace, with new interchanges at Black Hill, Tarro, Tomago and Raymond Terrace.
Not all movements, however, will be available when the motorway first opens.
Motorists will not be able to enter the northbound M1 from John Renshaw Drive or the New England Highway at the Tarro interchange.
Those ramps are expected to open in the coming weeks.
Until then, drivers heading north towards Taree and the Mid North Coast can access the M1 via the Tomago interchange.
Transport for NSW said short traffic stoppages will also take place on surrounding roads and motorway approaches as crews complete the final stages of the project.
Night work between 7pm and 5am will affect the M1 at Beresfield and Black Hill, John Renshaw Drive at Beresfield, the New England Highway at Tarro, and the Pacific Highway at Tomago and Heatherbrae.
Daytime work will also take place along Lenaghans Drive at Black Hill, Old Punt Road at Tomago and the New England Highway at Tarro.
Drivers may encounter lane closures, contraflow arrangements, intermittent stoppages and temporary speed limits of 40km/h.
Transport for NSW is urging motorists to allow extra travel time and follow directions from signs and traffic controllers.
A new interactive portal has also been launched to help drivers familiarise themselves with the extension.
It includes animated driving videos, interchange maps and information about the new routes.
Construction and finishing works will continue across the project after the motorway opens, including landscaping and other final works.
Motorists can check the latest traffic conditions through Live Traffic NSW.
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