Major work starts on Newcastle project

Major construction will soon start on the fifth section of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass, from Rankin Park to Jesmond.
Transport for NSW Regional Director North Anna Zycki said the $450 million joint-funded project would transform travel for commuters and visitors to the city.
“This project will deliver the ‘missing link’ of the bypass between Rankin Park and Jesmond, meaning a faster, safer commute for locals who will be able to bypass 11 sets of traffic lights along this notorious stretch of road,” Ms Zycki said.
Once the 3.4-kilometre bypass is complete, commuters will benefit from a reduction of up to 80 per cent on travel times during the morning and afternoon peaks, bypassing 11 sets of traffic lights between Rankin Park and Jesmond.
The Newcastle Inner City Bypass has been designed to provide traffic relief to the surrounding road network by removing up to 30,000 vehicles each day from Lookout Road, Croudace Street and Newcastle Road.
Transport for NSW is working closely with NSW Health to ensure the project aligns with work on the John Hunter Health Innovation Precinct and to provide a second access road to the hospital campus.
Early work and site establishment has been underway in recent months and Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd will now start main construction of the bypass. 
The $450 million project is jointly funded on an 80:20 basis by the Australian Government and New South Wales Government, and will support up to 900 jobs during construction. 
The project is expected to open to traffic in 2025, weather permitting.
More information about the project is available at nswroads.work/rp2j