A safer, flood-resilient Cessnock Road on the way
1 June 2021
The upgrade of Cessnock Road at Testers Hollow, which will deliver a new, higher road to boost regional connectivity and reduce the impacts of flooding, is motoring ahead.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the $17 million upgrade is already delivering for the local community.
“Shovels hit the ground in November 2020 and since then contractors have been hard at work delivering this project, which will provide locals with more reliable connections during future flooding events,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“This project will improve safety and access between the Maitland area, Hunter Expressway and the broader Hunter community during flood events and is also boosting local jobs and the economy.
“This much-needed work is expected to support around 50 direct and indirect jobs, plus around another 10 local suppliers and contractors.”
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said work to establish temporary drainage for the construction of the new road is now complete, with permanent drainage to be installed as part of the project after the consolidation period.
“The team has also loaded more than 16,000 cubic metres of fill onto the 120-metre long embankment, which has been built to a height of about five metres above the existing level of the old road and will now be left in place for some months to allow the underlying soft soils to consolidate,” Mr Toole said.
“Settlement monitoring equipment has been installed to monitor the embankment consolidation and the team will carry on with environmental and geotechnical monitoring. The community will not see construction taking place, but they can rest assured the project is on track.
“We are serious about building a safer, stronger regional road network and know what a difference it will make to so many locals who use this key route.”
Senator for NSW Hollie Hughes said the project remains on track to finish in early 2023, despite recent floods closing work for 17 business days.
“I am pleased to see works progressing and construction crews continuing to get boots on the ground as much as they can to deliver this local game-changer,” Senator Hughes said.
“Our Government is proud to be working side by side with the NSW Government to deliver this vital project for the region, supporting a much-needed jobs and economic boost following the impacts of COVID-19 while providing lasting, improved road infrastructure. This road has been a major problem for the communities of Maitland, Gillieston Heights and westwards from there, for many years and I’m proud that it’s the Coalition Government that is finally completing the upgrade.
“The Testers Hollow upgrade is one of $110 billion worth of infrastructure pipeline projects right across NSW and the nation. And a key plank in the Coalition Government’s Economic Recovery Plan to secure Australia’s world-leading economic recovery.”
Transport for NSW will continue to keep the community and stakeholders informed as the project progresses.
The Australian Government has committed $15 million towards the Cessnock Road – Testers Hollow upgrade, with the NSW Government committing the remaining $2 million.
More information on the project is available at work/testershollow.