Muswellbrook Bypass - New England Highway

Transport for NSW has proposed to modify the New England Highway bypass of Muswellbrook by amending the construction in certain areas.

This modification will help construction staging and access requirements.

Some of the key features of the proposed modification would include:

• upgrading the intersection of Sandy Creek Road and the New England Highway
• maintenance of existing roadway along Muscle Creek Road, Milpera Drive and Coal Road
• construction of new dams and relocation of existing dams further from the proposed road corridor
• construction of new access tracks and working platforms and use of existing access tracks
• relocation of utilities and vegetation trimming where required
• installation of directional signage
• temporary instream crossing structures.

The proposed changes are in the Muswellbrook Bypass Addendum REF August 2025 (PDF, 13.42 MB).

A contract has been awarded to design and relocate the necessary electrical infrastructure for the project. Design work will progress over coming months with utility relocation work expected to start in October 2025.

Additional geotechnical investigations were completed in April 2025 and will help inform the design of a section of the bypass previously affected by mining.

An Expression of Interest (EOI) is expected to be released in the coming months to engage with potential contractors for the major construction work.

We will keep the community updated as the project progresses.

Utility relocation work will start this year and the tender for major construction is expected to be in late 2026, with construction to commence the following year.

Early work activities were carried out in 2023, including the demolition of two existing buildings and some general clearing.

We will keep the community updated as the project progresses.

The highway currently passes through the centre of Muswellbrook. It is predominately a two lane road, restricted by numerous intersections, varying speed limits and nearby buildings with minimal setback from the road. The highway carries between 11,000 and 20,000 vehicles through the township each day, about 13 per cent being heavy vehicles.

The proposed bypass would reduce the volume of heavy vehicles travelling through Muswellbrook, improving safety and amenity in the township. The proposal would improve travel times by providing a free flow 100 kilometre per hour alternative route.

The preferred route corridor for the bypass was published in July 2018 and a preferred option for the bypass was announced in November 2020. The preferred option included a refined alignment of the bypass south of Coal Road, and full southern and northern connections with the existing New England Highway. Feedback received on the preferred option was considered to further refine and prepare the concept design and environmental assessment for the bypass.

The bypass would have significant benefits including:

• Improve network efficiency on the New England Highway, particularly travel times for long haul freight movements
• Improve safety for all road users in the town centre, particularly relating to heavy and light vehicle interactions
• Improve amenity of Muswellbrook township.

Transport for NSW invited feedback from the community about Muswellbrook Bypass concept design and REF between 23 November 2020 and 18 December 2020.

A submissions report was prepared outlining feedback received from the community and our responses. You can view the submissions report here: Submissions report (PDF, 38.16 MB)

We will continue working with the community and stakeholders during the planning process to understand issues and minimise any potential impacts.

Transport for NSW will continue to consult with property owners, residents and other impacted stakeholders and keep the community informed as the project progresses.

• November 2021 project update
  Concept design and review of environmental factors display.
• October 2021 project update
  Community feedback on preferred option.
• November 2020 project update
  Preferred Option November 2020.
• February 2019 project update
  New England Highway – Muswellbrook bypass.

• November 2021 Muswellbrook bypass review of environmental factors
  Muswellbrook bypass – New England Highway.
• Appendix A
  Biodiversity Assessment Report.
• Appendix B
  Socio economic working paper.
• Appendix D
  ISEPP Consultation.
• Appendix E
  Flood Assessment.
• Appendix F (PDF, 44.14 MB)
  Mining Assessment Report.
• Appendix G
  Government agencies and stakeholder consultation.
• Appendix H
  Consideration of clause 228(2) factors and Matters of National Environmental Significance and Commonwealth Land.
• Appendix I
  Surface and Groundwater Assessment.
• Appendix J
  Phase I - Contamination Assessment.
• Appendix K
  Traffic and Options Modelling Report.
• Appendix L
  Noise and Vibration Technical Report.
• Appendix M
  Heritage Assessment and Statement of Heritage Impact.
• Appendix N
  Air Quality Impact Assessment Methodology and Data.
• Appendix O
  Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment.

• September 2021 Community Consultation report
• July 2018 options report
  New England Highway Muswellbrook Bypass.

• Muswellbrook Bypass Addendum review of Environmental Factors August 2025 (PDF, 13.42 MB)
• Muswellbrook Bypass Addendum REF Appendix B August 2025 (PDF, 71.79 MB)
• Muswellbrook Bypass Addendum REF Appendix E Noise and vibration report August 2025 (PDF, 60 MB)
• Muswellbrook Bypass Addendum REF Appendix G Detailed Site Investigation August 2025 (PDF, 23.62 MB)

• 16 April 2021 - Community feedback delivers better bypasses for Singleton and Muswellbrook.
• November 2020 - Have your say on the Muswellbrook Bypass
• December 2019 - Muswellbrook Bypass takes a step forward