Green light for construction given to M1 Pacific Motorway extension

The $2.1 billion M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace has been given the green light for construction by the Australian and New South Wales Governments. 

The approval given by the Australian Government under the national environment law signals that major works can begin on one of the Hunter region’s largest ever infrastructure projects. 

“The M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace will be a key link in this vital piece of the nation’s infrastructure. 

“Demand on the road network in this area is only expected to increase as local populations grow. We know that extending the M1 will provide improved traffic flow and increased connectivity. 

“Getting the official tick to move forward is exciting news for the community as we continue to build the infrastructure that communities in regional NSW deserve,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

The overall project will deliver: 

• 15 kilometres of dual carriageway motorway with two lanes in each direction, bypassing Hexham and Heatherbrae 
• Interchanges at Black Hill, Tarro, Tomago, and Raymond Terrace 
• A 2.6-kilometre bridge over Woodlands Close, the Main Northern Railway, New England Highway and Hunter River 
• Minimum flood immunity along the new motorway for a one in 20-year flood event 

Old Punt Road at Tomago (source: NSW Government)

The project will also deliver upgrades to the surrounding network, including the Hexham Straight Widening that involves duplicating about six kilometres of the Pacific Highway/Maitland Road to three lanes in each direction between the Newcastle Inner City Bypass at Sandgate and the New England Highway at Hexham Bridge. 

“The NSW Government is building the infrastructure that matters to keep our great state moving forward. 

“This project is also set to create better access for key employment areas and support freight servicing the Hunter Valley mining industry, the Port of Newcastle and interstate freight – meaning it will have local, regional and national economic benefits. 

“We now have the official planning approval to get on with the job of delivering one of the biggest infrastructure projects the Hunter region has ever seen to make daily life easier for families, businesses and truckies,” NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway said. 

Once completed, motorists will be able to bypass five sets of traffic lights for a more efficient and reliable journey. The project will also remove around 25,000 vehicles daily from key congestion and merge points between Newcastle and Maitland. 

The M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments, each contributing $1.68 billion and $420 million respectively. 

“This is an exciting step forward in this project, which is the last remaining bottleneck on the Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane – and even better that it’s happening ahead of schedule. 

“I know Hunter locals who frequently travel between Maitland and Newcastle are very much looking forward to this extension, making for a safer and faster journey. 

“I have been focused on this as a priority project since my election seven years ago, and it’s great to be working alongside the Australian and NSW Governments to make it a reality,” Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson said. 

Tomago interchange (source: NSW Government)

In December 2022, preferred contractors that will deliver the project were announced. 

The John Holland Gamuda Joint Venture was appointed to undertake the southern section of the project that includes building a 10-kilometre of the motorway that extends from Black Hill to Tomago. 

On the other hand, Seymour Whyte was awarded the contract to deliver the northern section of the development that will build a five-kilometre stretch of road that bypasses Heatherbrae. 

Weather permitting, the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace is expected to open to traffic in mid-2028. 

Source: Transport for NSW (1, 2); Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; NSW Government – M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace (1, 2)