Nelson Bay Road from Williamtown to Bobs Farm - Nelson Bay Road

Transport for NSW is progressing with the concept design for the previously announced preferred route that runs between Cabbage Tree Road at Williamtown and the completed Section 1 duplication at Bobs Farm.

For more information, please view the latest project update (PDF, 2.35 MB).

Transport for NSW welcomes the Australian Government’s Budget decision to invest $137.5 million in the project to upgrade Nelson Bay Road between Williamtown and Bobs Farm.

The NSW Government has confirmed the continuation of planning for the upgrade of Nelson Bay Road from Williamtown to Bobs Farm and  has provided matching funding for the project as part of the 2024/25 NSW State budget.

The upgrade remains in the early stages of development and timing for delivery will be dependent on a number of factors including completion of site investigations to inform the design, determination of the Review of Environmental Factors, land acquisition, and the release of future funding.

The duplication of Nelson Bay Road is being delivered as a program of work. Early work to upgrade the intersection of Nelson Bay Road and Medowie Road and the intersection of Nelson Bay Road and Lemon Tree Passage Road has been completed. Transport for NSW (Transport) is currently planning for duplication of Nelson Bay Road between Williamtown and Bobs Farm as the next priority for the corridor.

Transport for NSW sought comments from the community and stakeholders on three proposed route options for the project in November 2020.

The November 2020 consultation was undertaken following initial consultation on the project in September 2019 where the community suggested that Transport consider an alternative off-line route option.

Transport investigated the alternative off-line route that was suggested by the community and subsequently displayed three options for community comment: the new alternative off-line route option and the originally proposed on-line and off-line routes.

In December 2021, Transport for NSW announced a preferred route for the project and has selected a fully off-line route that extends from Bobs Farm to Cabbage Tree Road at Williamtown.

The latest project update (PDF, 3.94Mb) includes a map of the preferred route.

You can also view or download the Preferred Option Report (PDF 1.71Mb) which outlines the identification and assessment of options in more detail.

Both on-line and off-line route alignment options were evaluated with a view to improve safety and travel times on Nelson Bay Road. Selection of the preferred route considered social, environmental and economic factors as well as community and stakeholder feedback.

The NSW Government has confirmed the continuation of planning for the upgrade of Nelson Bay Road from Williamtown to Bobs Farm.

The upgrade remains in the early stages of development and timing for delivery will be dependent on a number of factors including completion of site investigations to inform the design, determination of the Review of Environmental Factors, land acquisition, and the release of future funding.

Transport was provided with additional funding to continue the development of the project in the 2024/25 budget.

We delivered about one kilometre of dual carriageway located at Bobs Farm, adjoining the previously duplicated road. This early work was not impacted by the preferred route for the remainder of the corridor.

The tender for the construction of this section of the upgrade was awarded to Daracon Contractors who commenced work to establish the site in December 2021. Work on the project commenced in January 2022 and was completed in July 2023.

View or download more information about the Williamtown to Bobs Farm Section 1 project.

• November 2020 community update

  Have your say.

• September 2019 community update

  Have your say.

• July 2025 project update (PDF, 2.31 MB)
  The latest on the proposed upgrade
• December 2021 project update
  Preferred route.
• March 2020 project update
  Publication of Community Consultation Report.

• April 2019 project notification

  Preliminary planning and investigations on Nelson Bay Road from Williamtown to Bobs Farm from late April 2019.

• November 2021 preferred option report

  Nelson Bay Road - Williamtown to Bobs Farm.

• June 2021 community consultation report

  Nelson Bay Road - Williamtown to Bobs Farm.

• March 2020 community consultation report

  Nelson Bay Road - Williamtown to Bobs Farm.

• 23 December 2021
  Preferred route confirmed for Nelson Bay Road.
• 30 September 2021
  Contract awarded for Nelson Bay Road upgrade.