The progression of work on the Hexham Straight widening project will force changes to overnight traffic conditions from the weekend.

That means lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h are expected to be in place on the Maitland Road between the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and the Oak precinct.

From Sunday 3 December, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is scheduling out-of-hours work, which includes establishing barriers and line-marking, removing and building new road pavements, traffic signal work, installation of utility services and service investigations.

Maitland Road remains a critical link in the National Land Transport Network, carrying some of the highest volumes of vehicles in the Hunter.

The proposed six-kilometre-long venture should improve traffic flow, deliver more reliable travel times for freight, and increase safety for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

“To minimise the impact to motorists, work will be carried out overnight from 7pm to 5am from Sundays (starting 3 December) to Thursdays,” a TfNSW spokesperson said.

“It’s expected to be complete by 3am on Friday 22 December, weather permitting.

“Normal working hours remain in place between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and 8am and 1pm on Saturdays.

“Major work will finish at the site on Friday 22 December and resume on Monday 8 January.

“We thank everyone for their patience during this time.”

The scope of the Hexham Straight project – forecast to be finished in 2026 – involves the addition of an extra lane in both directions, removal of the existing bridges and construction of two new ones at Ironbark Creek, adjustments to connecting roads as well as significant utility relocation.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.

Meanwhile, motorists are also advised of changed traffic conditions on the New England Highway during work on the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace. 

It will require lane closures and temporary speed reductions at the following locations and times:

• M1 Pacific Motorway northbound lane closure between Black Hill Road and John Renshaw Drive between 8pm and 5am from now until Friday 1 December
• New England Highway eastbound lane closure between Quarter Sessions Road and Anderson Drive from 8pm to 5am from Wednesday 29 November to Friday 1 December
• New England Highway westbound lane closure from 8pm to 5am from now to Thursday 30 November
• Maitland Road westbound lane closure from 8pm to 5am on Friday 1 December
• Maitland Road eastbound lane closure from 8pm to 5am from now until Wednesday 29 November
• Pacific Highway southbound lane closure, near Tomago Road, between 8pm and 5am from Wednesday 29 November to Friday 1 December
• Pacific Highway northbound lane closure opposite the Hunter Region Botanical Gardens from 8pm to 5am from now until Friday 1 December
• Anderson Drive onramp shoulder closure to New England Highway from 7am to 5pm from now until Friday 1 December
• M1 southbound lane closure near Lenaghans Drive from 8pm to 5am from now until Tuesday 28 November

For the latest updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or phone 132 701.

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