NSW's Hunter Expressway poised to open

Truck drivers and other motorists are set to benefit from the impending opening of the new Hunter Expressway, near Newcastle

The finishing touches are currently being applied to New South Wales’ $1.7 billion Hunter Expressway project, which is scheduled to open on Saturday, March 22, 2014.

The 40km section of dual carriageway will run in a north-westerly direction from the Pacific Motorway west of Newcastle to the New England Highway at Lower Belfield, shaving an estimated 28 minutes from the average travel time to or from Newcastle.

The Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, said the development was the Hunter region’s largest road infrastructure project.

“This is a project that has spanned three federal governments,” he said.

“It was identified and started under the Howard government, continued by the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd governments, and now completed by the Abbott government.

“Some 10,000 workers have been employed to build the road, which included more than 288,000 tonnes of asphalt, 52 bridges and six interchanges.”

The NSW Minister for Roads and Ports, Duncan Gay, said the opening of the expressway would give business and industry in the region a significant boost.

“Increasing the efficiency of the road network provides clear productivity benefits for business and the economy,” he said.

From the evening of Saturday, March 22, motorists will be able to access the Hunter Expressway from a total of six interchanges, located at the Newcastle/M1 Pacific Motorway, Buchanan, Kurri Kurri, Loxford, Allandale, Branxton and the connection to the New England Highway at Lower Belfield.

NSW's Hunter Expressway poised to open

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