Proposed Singleton Bypass in NSW is now a step closer to construction

The congestion-busting Singleton Bypass – also known as New England Highway Bypass in Singleton – is on track to being built with funding already locked to finalise project planning as well as deliver the proposed bypass. 

This project includes the construction of a new section of highway across the floodplain located west of Singleton – starting from near Newington Lane to north of McDougalls Hill. 

“With 26,000 vehicles, including more than 3.700 trucks, currently using our Singleton town centre each day, the planned bypass will reduce travel times, ease congestion and improve safety for all road users along this key corridor. 

“I know how much this project means to locals, which is why I’ve been pushing to get the job done, so I’m glad we’ve now received the funding required to finalise planning for the Singleton Bypass,” State Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen said. 

The Australian Government has committed $560 million to deliver the project through the 2020-21 Budget for transport infrastructure. 

“This is great news for Singleton, great news for the Hunter and markets to the north-west – it's going to reduce congestion and travel times. 

“The bypass project is expected to support more than 1,370 jobs and we will draw on local businesses and contractors because we know how important it is to keep infrastructure and jobs in the regions as we lay the economic foundations for recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said. 

In the next 25 years, traffic volumes on this stretch of road are expected to increase and the delivery of the Singleton Bypass will help improve freight movement and journeys now and into the future. 

“We know how important this project is to the community – that's why the New South Wales Government committed $92 million towards the project last year. 

“With the Australian Government coming on board, I’m confident we can now get on and deliver the community the bypass they deserve,” NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said. 

This proposed transport infrastructure will enable motorists to bypass five sets of traffic lights as well as remove approximately 15,000 vehicles from the town centre each day. 

“The proposed bypass will be designed to cater for a later upgrade to a dual carriageway where required to meet future traffic demands. 

“Just like the Toowoomba Range Crossing is important to people in St George, the Singleton Bypass is important to people in the New England,” Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said. 

Once open to traffic, Singleton Bypass will relieve congestion, improve travel times and safety through the heart of Singleton. The bypass will also make a big difference to how locals and the thousands of motorists that travel along the New England Highway every day, particularly freight and heavy vehicles. 

“This project will bring us another step closer to delivering a seamless highway for tourists and commercial vehicles, which are both so important to the local economies,” Senator for New South Wales Perin Davey said. 

Transport for NSW is now in the process of finalising the concept design for the Singleton Bypass based on feedback from the community. 

This project is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments on an 80:20 basis, with the former contributing $560 million and the latter to contribute the remaining funding. 

Source: Transport for NSW – Media Releases; Transport for NSW – Roads and Maritime; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development