New England Highway bypass of Scone

Work on the New England Highway Bypass of Scone is complete, six months ahead of schedule.

Transport for NSW wishes to thank the community, nearby residents and motorists for their patience and support during the work.

For more information about the project, read the April 2020 Community Update (PDF, 827Kb).

We’ve completed all major work on the New England Highway bypass of Scone and it is now open to traffic.

Work is still required on a number of roads and intersections over coming weeks. This includes the existing New England Highway at the southern end of town, south of Gundy Road, and at the new roundabout at the northern end of town at Makybe Diva Street. All remaining work is expected to be completed before Easter, weather permitting.

The New England Highway south of Scone carries 8400 vehicles a day, peaking in town at 14,000. Around 8000 vehicles use the Kelly Street crossing every day, including 1200 heavy vehicles.

There is a poor crash history on this four kilometre section of highway, with 26 crashes in the five years to December 2015.

Following extensive community consultation and environmental assessment, the preferred route was approved in April 2016.

In March 2018, Daracon was awarded the contract for construction.

The Australian and NSW governments have committed $137 million for construction of this major upgrade.

The bypass will remove a large number of heavy vehicles from the town centre. This will result in improved:

• traffic flow and amenity for local traffic
• travel times for freight and long distance traffic
• safety for all road users.

The bypass also provides an alternative route for road users wanting to travel across town unimpeded by rail operations.

Key features of the upgrade include:

• a two lane highway bypass to the west of Scone passing between White Park and the redeveloped Scone golf course
• three bridges - providing a grade-separated intersection at the southern end, crossing over the rail line south of Scone, and crossing over Kingdon and Liverpool streets
• access to and from the bypass to the north and south of town and midway at St Aubins Street providing for all turning movements.

The Environment Protection License for the project was transferred to Daracon Group on 2 July 2018.

The Environment Protection Licence and monthly environmental monitoring data for the project prior to July 2018 can be found on the Environment Protection Licence page.

• January 2020 construction update
  Construction update - January 2020.
• November 2019 construction update
  Construction update - November 2019.
• June 2019 construction update
  Construction update - June 2019.

• April 2020 community update

• February 2019 project update
  New England Highway Bypass of Scone.

• April 2020 - Work wraps up early on Scone bypass
• February 2020 - Community celebrates opening of Scone bypass
• February 2020 - Locals invited to walk New Scone bypass