Contract awarded for works on NSW Newcastle Inner City Bypass Stage 5

Major construction on the fifth section of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass in New South Wales is due to begin later this year with the design and construct contract awarded to Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd. 

The fifth section will complete the ‘missing link’ of the bypass between Rankin Park and Jesmond and once open to traffic, locals will be able to experience faster and safer commutes by bypassing 11 sets of traffic lights along this route. 

The contract award will also include the delivery of early works on Lookout Road and McCaffrey Drive, which will allow Fulton Hogan to accelerate works around the southern interchange. 

“It is exciting to see the early work at the southern end of the project nearing completion in preparation for major work on the bypass to kick off later in 2022. 

“Over the past six months, workers have been busy relocating existing utilities including water, sewer, electrical, gas and telecommunications to pave the way for major work on this vital project. 

“This job-creating project is good for local workers and will be a big win for commuters across Newcastle,” Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said. 

This section of the bypass project will involve building a 3.4-kilometre four-lane divided road, including: 

• A northern interchange at Newcastle Road 
• An interchange providing access to John Hunter Hospital precinct 
• A southern interchange at Lookout Road 
• Structures provided along the bypass to improve connectivity in the bushland for people and animals 
• Off-road provisions for pedestrians and cyclists including a shared path bridge over Newcastle Road at Jesmond 

“This 3.4-kilometre stage of the bypass will be one of Newcastle’s largest infrastructure projects. 

“This is an exciting day for the community, who have long benefitted from the previous stages of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and know the positive impact this project will have on travel times and congestion. 

“Once the bypass is complete, commuters will enjoy a reduction of up to 80 per cent on travel times during the morning and afternoon peaks, bypassing 11 sets of traffic lights between Rankin Park and Jesmond,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

Rankin Park to Jesmond section of the bypass (source: Transport for NSW)

Major works are scheduled to begin in October 2022 and the Newcastle Inner City Bypass is expected to open to traffic in 2025. 

For this project, Transport for NSW will be working closely with NSW Health to ensure works on the bypass will align with works on the John Hunter Health Innovation Precinct while delivering a second access road to the hospital campus. 

This $450 million project is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments on an 80:20 basis. 

“The NSW Government has committed $90 million towards this project, which is expected to create up to 900 jobs during major work. 

“The Newcastle Inner City Bypass has been designed to provide traffic relief to the surrounding road network by removing up to 30,000 vehicles each day from Lookout Road, Croudace Street and Newcastle Road. 

“This is a transformational project for the city that will improve traffic flow, reduce travel times and enhance safety for all road users,” NSW Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward said. 

Source: Transport for NSW (1, 2); NSW Government – Media Releases; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Infrastructure Magazine; Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Australia New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline