More jobs for Newcastle in next stage of bypass

The completion of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass is a step closer with a contract for the next stage of early work awarded today to Quickway Constructions Pty Limited

The 3.4-kilometre stage of the bypass between Rankin Park and Jesmond will be one of the city’s largest infrastructure projects and will provide traffic relief to the surrounding road network, in particular the existing route of Lookout Road, Croudace Street and Newcastle Road.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the project was one of many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Morrison Government as part of its record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline.

“Last year the Morrison Government committed $360 million to build this bypass and help bust congestion in Newcastle,” Minister Fletcher said.

“When completed, this particular section of bypass will help alleviate pressures on the existing route, which is currently used by about 40,000 to 60,000 vehicles each day. Drivers travelling north-south will avoid up to 11 sets of traffic lights along the existing route and enjoy travel times reduced by up to 80 per cent during the morning and afternoon peaks.”

NSW Minister for Transport and Roads, the Hon Andrew Constance MP, said the contract awarded to Quickway Constructions Pty Limited is an early work package for the relocation of existing utilities, including water, sewer, electrical, gas and telecommunications.

“This will deliver up to 40 jobs to Newcastle and will also support local suppliers and contractors during this part of the project,” Minister Constance said.

“We know the Newcastle community is keen to see congestion removed from busy inner city streets, which is why the NSW Government has committed $90 million towards this project.

“Work on the main project is due to start in 2022 and we expect traffic to flow on this final stage of the bypass in 2025.”

The Newcastle Inner City Bypass is being jointly funded by the Morrison Government and NSW Government with funding split 80:20 respectively. This next stage of early work is expected to start in the next two months and is due to be completed by mid-2022, weather permitting.

Early work will be carried out at the southern end of the project area in New Lambton Heights, which is where the southern interchange will be built, and preliminary road work will also be carried out on Lookout Road and McCaffrey Drive.

The project team have already made great progress, with the shared path bridge at Jesmond opening to traffic months ahead of schedule in November last year.

Registrations of interest for the main construction part of the project have closed and are being assessed, and this early work package will enable whoever is successful when the main tender is awarded to accelerate work around the southern interchange.

Further information about the Rankin Park to Jesmond project can be found at nswroads.work/rp2j.