John Renshaw Drive Upgrade Program

The key junction of the M1 Pacific Motorway (M1), John Renshaw Drive, and Weakleys Drive at Beresfield plays a crucial function as part of the National Land Transport Network (NLTN), connecting users travelling between Sydney, Newcastle, and Brisbane on the M1 to the Pacific Highway via John Renshaw Drive and the New England Highway.

It is a key component of the regional freight network, identified as part of a strategic heavy freight link connecting to key strategic freight terminals in Newcastle (Port of Newcastle and Newcastle Airport).

The current road arrangements on and near this strategic key junction lack the capacity required for expected future level of demand on these roads, which includes plans for new industrial precinct areas being established in Black Hill and Beresfield, adjacent to the junction.

The John Renshaw Drive Upgrade Program (the Program), was identified as part of the M1 Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace (M12RT) Program, will investigate options to upgrade the intersection of John Renshaw Drive and Weakleys Drive and upgrades to Weakleys Drive between John Renshaw Drive and Glenwood Drive.

The Australian and NSW Governments are now investing $15 million into planning for a program of road improvements in and around this key junction to help meet current and future traffic demands in the area, as well as support the development of the proposed industrial areas and broader regional economy.

The program has been developed to support local, regional, state-wide, and national development strategies and plans through provision of road infrastructure that enables and facilitates growth.

The Program is one of several projects, including M12RT and Hexham Straight Widening, to address current and predicted traffic growth at the critical strategic junction of the M1 Motorway, Pacific and New England Highways.

The John Renshaw Drive Upgrade Program would:

• help meet the current and future traffic demands at this key junction
• support development of the proposed industrial areas and 
• support broader regional economy by providing more efficient network access connections
• contribute freight capacity, efficiency and productivity for NSW by reducing overall transport time and cost for heavy vehicles along the National Land Transport Network and state road network in the Beresfield area
• improving long term travel time reliability as well as manage congestion for the state road network in the Beresfield area to improve local connectivity
• improve safety road safety for all road users, including vulnerable road users.

Transport for NSW will engage with key stakeholders and the community as the project progresses.

Timing for construction is not confirmed and is dependent on planning approvals and funding.