$700m Singleton Bypass project progressing well towards completion

The $700 million Singleton Bypass project in New South Wales continues to progress towards completion as it passed the one-year mark since the start of major construction. 

This once-in-a-generation infrastructure is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments, each contributing $560 million and $140 million respectively. 

“This project has been talked about for generations, but it’s the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments delivering it. 

“The Singleton Bypass will take thousands of vehicles off Singleton’s main road, improving safety, and slashing travel times across the region. 

“The Albanese Government is proud to be investing $560 million to get it built and to see real progress on the ground,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

“Locals have long been asking for a solution to congestion, heavy traffic and safety concerns and the Albanese and Minns Labor Government is delivering. 

“The Singleton Bypass will transform how people move around the Hunter, making travel safer, faster and more efficient for the thousands of people who live in, visit and travel through our region. 

“We are seeing real progress on the ground. No one backs our regional communities like a Labor Government,” NSW Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said. 

Project progress (source: Transport for NSW)

Aerial vision of the project has recently been released, highlighting the vast scale of Singleton Bypass as well as the relentless work of crews. 

More than 1,300 workers have been actively involved in the delivery of this project over the past 12 months, with major achievements including: 

• All six bridges under construction, including the region-shaping 1.6-kilometre Hunter Floodplain bridge that is now 80 per cent complete 

• More than 500,000m3 of earthworks placed (the equivalent of 200 Olympic swimming pools) 

• Council’s new water pump station nearing completion 

• Peak work underway on drainage, utilities relocation, pavement, noise walls, and safety screens 

Once Singleton Bypass is completed, it will remove about 15,000 vehicles each day from Singleton’s CBD, bypass five sets of traffic lights, cut congestion and reduce freight delays while also delivering safer, faster and more reliable journeys for the 26,000 motorists who travel on this section of the New England Highway daily. 

“Seeing the progress on the Singleton Bypass shows exactly what happens when governments genuinely invest in regional communities. This bypass is finally becoming a reality after decades of traffic, frustration and safety concerns from locals. 

“Two new bridges are already providing an alternate route for heavy vehicles working on the project, minimising the impact of construction on the local road network so the benefits are being felt even before opening day. 

“This is a game0changing investment in the Hunter – safer roads, stronger freight links and a smoother drive for everyone who calls Singleton and the Hunter home,” NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said. 

“This bypass is delivering local jobs, local investment and a long-overdue fix for congestion that has plagued Singleton for years. 

“With more than 1,300 jobs supported during construction, the project is already boosting our economy, and the benefits will keep coming when the new bypass opens. 

“Thank you to Transport for NSW and the entire construction workforce for the incredible progress so far,” Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi said. 

Key features of the Singleton Bypass project include: 

• About eight kilometres of new highway with a single lane in each direction 

• Connection with the New England Highway at the southern end of the bypass (southern connection) including a southbound entry ramp and northbound exit ramp 

• A bridge over the bypass at the southern connection 

• A bridge over the Main North railway line, the Doughboy Hollow and Hunter River floodplain, Army Camp Road and Putty Road (bridge over the floodplain) 

• Connection to Putty Road including a southbound entry ramp and northbound exit ramp at the Putty Road connection to create a full interchange via a roundabout at Putty Road (the Putty Road connection) 

• A bridge over Rose Point floodway 

• A bridge over the Hunter River 

• A bridge over the New England Highway west of the existing Main north railway line overbridge (known as Gowrie Gates) 

• Connection with the New England Highway at Gowrie Gates consisting of a southbound entry ramp and northbound exit ramp. The northbound exit ramp would connect to the New England Highway via a new roundabout intersection at Maison Dieu Road 

• A climbing lane between Gowrie Gates and the northern connection 

• Connection at Magpie Street including providing access to the nearby industrial area (the northern connection), consisting of a southbound entry ramp, southbound exit ramp, and northbound entry ramp 

“This is exactly the kind of infrastructure Hunter communities have been crying out for: practical, local and life-changing. 

“Removing one of the region’s worst choke points will make it easier to get to work, get kids to school and get freight where it needs to go. It’s a huge win for the Upper Hunter,” NSW Labor spokesperson for Upper Hunter Emily Suvaal said. 

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