One of the Hunter’s biggest ever infrastructure projects, the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace, is a step closer to reality, with the shortlist of companies to be invited to tender for construction announced today.
At the same time, Registrations of Interest are now being called from pre-qualified contractors to widen Hexham Straight as part of M1 extension.
The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace is a transformational project for the Hunter. The 15-kilometre extension includes a four-lane divided motorway with two lanes in each direction and new interchanges at Black Hill, Tarro, Tomago and Raymond Terrace.
It will improve the connection between Newcastle and the New England Highway, M1 Motorway and the Pacific Highway, enhancing safety and traffic flow for the 50,000 motorists who travel this route every day.
The project will also deliver an important economic boost to the Hunter region, supporting around 2,700 jobs during construction and creating opportunities for local businesses.
The Australian ($1.68 billion) and NSW ($420 million) governments have committed $2.1 billion towards the extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway to Raymond Terrace and the Hexham Straight Widening.
M1 EXTENSION TO RAYMOND TERRACE
The M1 extension is being built under two collaborative design and construction contracts.
For the southern, 10-kilometre Black Hill to Tomago section, CPB Contractors, Acciona Infrastructure Australia, and the John Holland/ Gamuda (Australia) Branch Joint Venture have been selected to take part in the tender process.
For the northern, five-kilometre Heatherbrae Bypass section, Seymour Whyte Constructions and BMD Constructions have been selected to take part in the tender process.
Both contracts are expected to be awarded by the end of 2022.
More information is available at: www.caportal.com.au/tfnsw/m1rt.
HEXHAM STRAIGHT WIDENING
Following consultation with industry, Transport for NSW will deliver the project through a collaborative approach known as an alliance contract.
Transport for NSW will develop a short-list of tenderers through the Registrations of Interest, and work with these parties to consider and incorporate innovations proposed by industry, ensuring value-for-money delivery of the project’s benefits.
Successful contractors are expected to be announced later this year.
More information: nswroads.work/hexham
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT BARNABY JOYCE:
“The Government is building infrastructure that will make us as strong as possible, as quickly as possible.
“These milestones move us a step closer to completion of what is one of the Hunter’s biggest ever infrastructure projects.
“Extending the M1 will significantly improve journeys for tens of thousands of motorists across the Hunter region, busting congestion and providing faster and safer journeys for commuters.
“Delivering this ‘missing link’ will also provide better access for local employment areas and support freight operators transporting mining products to the Port of Newcastle.
“The sooner these valuable commodities reach the port and are sent to overseas customers, the sooner we get paid and the stronger our nation becomes.”
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO NSW MINISTER FOR METROPOLITAN ROADS NATALIE WARD:
“This project is a major component of work to connect Newcastle with the Hunter and New England regions.
“This project will improve the connection between Newcastle and the New England Highway, M1 Motorway and the Pacific Highway, enhancing safety and traffic flow for the 50,000 motorists who use this route every day.
“This opens up Newcastle to a wider region and provides economic growth at key employment areas, such as the Port of Newcastle and Greater Newcastle, on top of supporting 750 jobs over its life cycle.”
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO NSW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORT AND ROADS SAM FARRAWAY:
“This will be one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the Hunter region’s history and is set to create about 2,700 direct and indirect jobs.
“The Hunter region’s existing transport network – the M1 Motorway, the New England Highway and the Pacific Highway – carries some of the highest regional traffic volumes in NSW.
“By removing more than 25,000 vehicles a day from key congestion and merge points between Newcastle and Maitland, we’ll help keep freight, commuters and tourists moving.”
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES JIM MOLAN:
“We are continuing to deliver the infrastructure the Hunter needs as part of our $44 billion investment in road and rail projects across New South Wales since 2013.
“We’ve already delivered $195.8 million to jointly fund the $391.6 million M1 Productivity Package, which has cut travel times, improved freight efficiency and provide for the growth of tourism, commuter and freight traffic between Sydney and Newcastle.
“This package delivered the Kariong to Somersby widening and Kariong interchange, the Tuggerah to Doyalson widening, and the Weakleys Drive intersection upgrade.
“We are also providing $360 million toward the $450 million Newcastle Inner City Bypass between Rankin Park and Jesmond, which will provide traffic relief to the surrounding road network.
“The Australian Government will continue to invest in and deliver the road infrastructure projects that matter to locals, tourists, businesses and freight operators.”