M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace

We are pleased to announce that the successful tenderers of the two major contracts for the M1 Pacific Motorway extension are John Holland Gamuda Australia Joint Venture and Seymour Whyte Constructions.

The Australian Government and New South Wales Government have announced John Holland Gamuda Australia Joint Venture as the successful contractors for the southern contract, which is a 10-kilometre section that extends from Black Hill to Tomago, and Seymour Whyte Constructions as the successful contractors for the northern contract, which is a five-kilometre section that bypasses Heatherbrae.

Major construction will start next year with the extension being delivered using two design and construct contracts to ensure innovation, efficiency and value for money.

The NSW Minister for Planning has given the tick of approval for this project, and we expect the Australian Government to provide planning approval early next year.

The project is expected to be open to traffic in mid-2028.

Learn more about John HollandGamuda Australia Joint Venture and Seymour Whyte Constructions.

The M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace formal tender period has now closed.

We thank all shortlisted contractors for their involvement in this process.

We will now assess and evaluate the bids received and we look forward to announcing the successful contractors later this year.

Throughout the tender period, we held over 20 tender interactive sessions focusing on technical innovation, design and commercial management.

The major construction phase of the extension will be delivered using two design and construct contracts to ensure innovation, efficiency and value for money in the delivery of the project.

The delivery of the project is expected to create 2700 jobs during construction.

We are continuing to build our knowledge of your community to help us identify ways to minimise impacts during future early work activities and major construction. The more we know about your engagement preferences, the more we can communicate in a way that best suits you. Complete the Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace community survey.

JUN 2022 - Submissions report released

The M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was on public exhibition between Wednesday 28 July 2021 and Tuesday 24 August 2021. We thank those who engaged with us during this time.

We have prepared a submissions report which responds to the submissions received from the community, NSW Government agencies and local councils during the EIS exhibition period. The submissions report is now available on our interactive portal and the Department of Planning and Environment's DPE Major Projects website. For more information, please see our June 2022 Project Update (PDF, 3.61Mb).

Companies shortlisted to build the M1 Pacific Motorway to Raymond Terrace have been officially announced following approval from the Australian and NSW governments.

For the southern section, which will be a 10 kilometre section from Black Hill to Tomago, CPB Contractors, Acciona Infrastructure Australia, John Holland Gamuda Australia Joint Venture have been shortlisted.

For the northern section, which includes a five kilometre bypass of Heatherbrae, Seymour Whyte Constructions and BMD Constructions have been shortlisted.

The Federal Government has announced a further $80 million to ensure delivery of the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace. This additional commitment brings the total investment for the project to $1.68 billion. The M1 Pacific Motorway extension and Hexham Straight widening projects are being jointly funded with a total investment of $2.1 billion - $1.68 billion provided by the Federal Government and $420 million from the NSW Government.

The M1 Pacific Motorway and Pacific Highway are critical links in the National Land Transport Network and among the busiest transport corridors in Australia.

Planning for the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to the Pacific Highway at Raymond Terrace started in October 2004 and has involved an extensive community consultation program to identify a preferred route and develop a concept design.

A design was displayed for community comment in 2008 with feedback considered to develop a refined design which was announced in 2010. The route was reserved in the Newcastle and Port Stephens Local Environmental Plans.

Transport for NSW provided a Community Update on the project in 2016, and invited comments from the community on the revised design to ensure the proposal provided the best outcome for road users, the environment and the community.

Feedback from the 2016 Community Update was considered by Transport for NSW, with further design improvements made to incorporate major improvements for connectivity to the surrounding road network and minimise environmental impacts.

Design improvements made since 2016 include:

Following community consultation, we have made further design improvements including:

• Improved direct access from the Pacific Highway in and out of the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
• A centralised interchange located at Old Punt Road at Tomago
• Improved access to the northbound M1 Motorway entry ramp at Tomago

Timing for construction is not confirmed and is subject to planning approval.

The proposed upgrade includes:

• 15 kilometres of dual carriageway motorway with two lanes in each direction, bypassing Hexham and Heatherbrae
• interchanges at Black Hill, Tarro, Tomago, and Raymond Terrace
• a 2.6 kilometre bridge over Woodlands Close, the Main Northern Railway, New England Highway and Hunter River
• minimum flood immunity along the new roadway for a one in 20 year event.

Key benefits of the proposal include:

• improved connection between the M1 Pacific Motorway and the Pacific Highway
• improved traffic flow for motorists and freight for more reliable travel times
• improved accessibility to the surrounding road network
• improved safety for all road users.

During the next phase of the project we will:

• continue to consult with property owners, residents, project focus groups and other impacted stakeholders
• keep the community informed as planning progresses. Access the latest Project update (PDF, 2.27Mb).
• complete investigations into to the project that better address future transport and community needs
• prepare a submissions report to respond to the issues raised during the public EIS exhibition and seek planning approval to the project.

• June 2017 project notification
  The planning for the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace is progressing.

• M1 Pacifc Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace Submissions Report
  June 2022
• June 2017 community consultation report
  M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace.

• June 2022 project update
  Submissions report released.
• July 2021 project update
  Environmental Impact Statement.
• October 2020 project update
  M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace.

• August 2016 project update
  M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace - Have your say – Design changes.

• M1 Extension and Hexham Straight progessing at pace - 6 April 2022
• Registrations of interest called for M1 Raymond Terrace - 18 October 2021
• M1 to Raymond Terrace upgrade to deliver missing link - 7 June 2021
• Industry engaged for M1 Raymond Terrace link - 20 November 2020
• M1 to Raymond Terrace takes shape - 4 November 2020