Construction of bridges for the $700m Singleton Bypass project begins

The $700 million Singleton Bypass – the region’s largest ever road infrastructure project – continues to progress with piling and pier work now underway to build four new bridges. 

The Singleton Bypass project is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments, each contributing $560 million and $150 million respectively. 

“It’s fantastic to see the biggest road infrastructure project in Singleton’s history starting to take shape. 

“I look forward to seeing the project progress as part of this great partnership between the Albanese and Minns Labor Government. 

“The project is also giving the local economy a welcome boost by supporting more than 1,300 jobs during construction,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

The eight-kilometre bypass will divert the New England Highway from passing through Singleton to avoid five sets of traffic lights as well as remove around 15,000 vehicles a day from the town centre. 

Not only will the new bypass road help ease the passage of freight, but it will also improve safety, relieve congestion and deliver travel time savings for the 26,000 motorists who use this section of the New England Highway each day. 

“When the bypass is built, motorists will avoid five sets of traffic lights in Singleton’s CBD and it’ll remove about 15,000 vehicles a day from the town centre – improving safety, slashing travel times and increasing efficiency for all road users. 

“Well done to the Transport project team and all the staff for their hard work on building this game-changing project,” State Labor spokesperson for Upper Hunter Emily Suvaal said. 

Construction of the Singleton Bypass at McDougalls Hill (source: Transport for NSW)

The Singleton Bypass development will also include the construction of six bridges, with the first girder placed on the project’s longest bridge – a 1.6-kilometre section on Doughboy Hollow floodplain – last week, marking a major milestone for the project. 

Works are also progressing well on the bridges at the southern connection, the crossing of the Hunter River and the crossing of the New England Highway at Gowrie. Piling and the construction of piers will continue across the project for about three months. 

Over the next six months, a total of 435 girders, 207 piles and 161 pier columns will be put in place for the bridges. Meanwhile, other works will continue across the project corridor to relocate utilities and carry out major earthworks. 

“It’s wonderful to see the progress of the Singleton Bypass, which will benefit so many people who live in, work in, and visit our region. 

“This is just the start of transformation work for this project, with bridge columns coming out of the ground and the start of girder installation, which will continue over the coming months. 

“I look forward to seeing the project progress,” Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi said. 

The eight-kilometre Singleton Bypass will have a single lane in each direction and it will feature a full interchange at Putty Road and connections to the New England Highway at the southern and northern ends of the bypass at Gowrie Gates. 

Construction is being carried out by Acciona Construction Australia Pty Ltd. Weather permitting, the bypass is due to open to traffic in late 2026. 

“Well done to the project team and its contractor, hitting the ground running with major construction starting last September. 

“Bridge building is an important step, and motorists will soon begin to see the magnitude of the bypass taking shape before their eyes. 

“The Singleton Bypass will improve the lives of people living and working right across the Hunter region through safer journeys, shorter travel times and more efficient freight transport,” 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)