Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay

Transport for NSW is planning to upgrade Hillsborough Road from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass roundabout to the existing duplication west of Crockett Street.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the concept design and Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the full upgrade.

More information about the concept design and REF can be found in our November 2022 Project Update (PDF, 6.02Mb), or by visiting our interactive web portal.

A report responding to the REF submissions will be drafted and shared with the community in early 2023. We will consider all feedback received during the display period and continue to consult with the community in the next stage of the project.

Transport for NSW is planning to upgrade Hillsborough Road from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass roundabout to the existing duplication west of Crockett Street. The upgrade would improve traffic flow, safety and accessibility for all road users.

We are planning to deliver the project in stages. The NSW Government has announced $35 million to deliver the first stage of the Hillsborough Road upgrade. Stage 1 involves upgrading Crockett Street intersection, including the installation of traffic lights. Construction of Stage 1 is expected to start in 2025 and take about 18 months to complete depending on final staging arrangements. Timing for construction of the remaining stages is subject to project approvals and funding.

A concept design and Review of Environmental Factors (REF) has been prepared for the full upgrade of Hillsborough Road, to identify potential impacts and mitigation measures.

On completion, the full upgrade will deliver the duplication of about 1.8 kilometres of Hillsborough Road, installation of traffic lights on Chadwick Street, Barker Avenue and Crockett Street as well as other road and safety improvements.

The full upgrade of Hillsborough Road includes:

• Duplication of about 1.8 kilometres of Hillsborough Road from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass roundabout to the existing duplication west of Crockett Street
• Two lanes in each direction separated by a raised median
• Posted speed limit of 60 km/h
• New traffic lights at the Chadwick Street, Barker Avenue and Crockett Street intersections including pedestrian crossings
• Modification to Higham Road with left turn out only
• U-turn bay on Barker Avenue
• New separated left in and left out only exit for access to the Combined Newcastle Canine Club showgrounds
• Left in and left out only access from existing businesses and residences fronting Hillsborough Road east of the Combined Newcastle Canine Club showgrounds
• On-road provision for cyclists in both directions and an off-road shared path on the northern side of Hillsborough Road for both cyclists and pedestrians
• Upgraded bus stop facilities on Hillsborough Road near the Crockett Street and Chadwick Street intersections and on Crockett Street.

The upgrade does not include changes to the roundabout at the intersection of Hillsborough Road/Medcalf Street and Macquarie Road/King Street at Warners Bay. Transport will continue to seek funding for improvements to this intersection and other key intersections in the area.

Now the submission period has closed, a report responding to the REF submissions will be drafted and shared with the community in early 2023.

We will consider all feedback received during the display period and continue to consult with the community in the next stage of the project.

• November 2022 project update

  Have your say on the concept design and REF.

• July 2021 project update

  Have your say.

• July 2020 project update

  Field investigations on Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough from Monday 20 July 2020.

• November 2021 community consultation report

  Hillsborough Road Upgrade.

• 22 November 2021

  Community heard on Hillsborough Road plans.

• 21 June 2021

  Budget accelerates Hillsborough Rd upgrade.