New milestone reached on Mandalong Road upgrade in Morisset NSW

The proposed Mandalong Road upgrade at Morisset in New South Wales is moving forward with the release of the community consultation report for the project’s preferred design. 

This upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments, with each contributing $56 million and $20 million respectively. 

The community and stakeholders were invited to have their say on the preferred design for the Mandalong Road upgrade last year. 

“Mandalong Road provides a critical link from the M1 Pacific Motorway to Morisset and the southern part of the Lake Macquarie local government area. 

“This upgrade will improve traffic flow and safety for about 17,000 road users daily, while helping meet the future needs of an increased population and employment in the Morisset area. 

“The upgrade will also support retail, industry, commercial and housing growth along the corridor, with potentially upwards of 5,000 new dwellings in the surrounding area,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

“This is a key step in the upgrade process and I welcome the work the NSW Government, together with the Commonwealth, is doing to improve traffic conditions for motorists in Lake Macquarie. 

“The much-needed Mandalong Road upgrades will significantly improve local traffic conditions and this next stage of consultation is vital to getting that work done,” Duty MLC for Lake Macquarie Emily Suvaal said. 

The proposed design for the upgrade includes: 

• Replacing the existing roundabout at Wyee Road / Freemans Drive intersection with new traffic lights 

• Providing pedestrian and cyclist crossings on all appraoches 

• Providing two through lanes in both directions on Mandalong Road / Dora Street 

• Providing turning lanes on all approached to the intersection 

• Providing a central raised median on all approaches to the intersection 

• Providing a shared path along Mandalong Road / Doara Street for pedestrians and cyclists 

• Providing two new bus stops on Dora Street 

Resulting from the public display of the preferred design, Lake Macquarie City Council has approved a Development Application for the Gimberts Road / Gateway Boulevard to be upgraded separately by a private developer. 

“These traffic upgrades will be really significant for local and visiting motorists and pedestrians in terms of safety and also minimising delays on their ourneys in this part of the lower Hunter. 

“We will continue to engage with the NSW Government, key stakeholders and the community to deliver the best option for traffic and pedestrian movement in Morisset,” Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi said. 

“Upgrading Mandalong Road is the most important tranport priority in southern Lake Macquarie. 

“Like other frustrated locals, I have been calling for a solution to the traffic and safety issues at Mandalong Road for years. 

“With its strategic position, the Morisset area is poised to experience a surge in people, jobs, homes and industrial and commercial development. Upgrading Mandalong Road, along with other infrastructure and services, is essential to support this growth and help Morisset realise its full potential,” Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper said. 

During the display period of the preferred design, a total of 202 submissions were received including 190 survey responses and 12 emails. 

The community consultation report includes feedback on the preferred design, operational and network impacts, environmental impacts, project concerns and suggestions. 

Feedback on the preferred design has been considered as work continues on the concept design and environmental assessment. 

Consultation with key stakeholders will also continue and the community will be updated as the project progresses. 

“We know this is an important project for the community with more than 200 submissions received during the consultation period. 

“As part of the survey, respondents were asked to provide feedback on the level of project importance and support of the preferred design. 

“I was pleased to note that 90 per cent of survey respondents believe the project to be very important, and more than 80 per cent supported the preferred design. 

“I’m proud to be part of a government getting the work done to improve the daily lives of people living in NSW,” NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; NSW Government – Media Releases; Transport for NSW (1, 2)