Pacific Highway improvements at Hexham

Reviewed

The Australian Government and the NSW Government are investing in the upgrade and development of the section of the Pacific Highway (Maitland Road) known as Hexham Straight between Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Hexham Bridge.

Latest news

August 2025 - Work update

For more information view the August 2025 project notification (PDF, 320.73 KB).

July 2025 - Work update

Transport for NSW will be completing night work in July 2025. Work will include removal and building new road pavements, including asphalting, line-marking and median island work and traffic changes; stormwater and pavement work; traffic signal work; utility adjustments; bridge work; and landscaping.

Out of hours work will take place from Tuesday 1 July to Thursday 31 July between 7pm and 7am from Sunday to Thursday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday weather permitting. Normal working hours are between 7am and 6pm on weekdays.

Lane and shoulder closures with a 40km/h speed reduction will be in place during some night work. Contra-flow arrangements will be in place during asphalt works. Motorists are advised to follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers, use alternative routes where possible or allow up to 15 minutes extra travel time.

Operators of Over Size or Over Mass vehicles with a ground contact wider than 3.2 metres or with overall width wider than 4.5 metres are advised to contact the project team at least one day ahead of movement on 1800 515 141. Significant delays could occur if failure to contact. OSOM operators are advised the project operates on UHF channel 45. 

Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in the permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

For more information, read the July community update (PDF, 323.17 KB).
 

June 2025 – Work update

Transport for NSW will be completing night work in June 2025. Work will include removal and building new road pavements, including asphalting, line-marking and median island work and traffic changes; stormwater and pavement work; traffic signal work; utility adjustments; bridge work; and landscaping.

Out of hours work will take place from Sunday 1 June to Monday 20 June between 7pm and 7am from Sunday to Thursday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday weather permitting. Normal working hours are between 7am and 6pm on weekdays.

Lane and shoulder closures with a 40km/h speed reduction will be in place during some night work. Contra-flow arrangements will be in place during asphalt works. Motorists are advised to follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers, use alternative routes where possible or allow up to 15 minutes extra travel time.

Operators of Over Size or Over Mass vehicles with a ground contact wider than 3.2 metres or with overall width wider than 4.5 metres are advised to contact the project team at least one day ahead of movement on 1800 515 141. Significant delays could occur if failure to contact. OSOM operators are advised the project operates on UHF channel 45. 

Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in the permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

For more information, read the June community update (PDF, 197.19 KB).

May 2025 - Work update

Transport for NSW will be completing night work in May 2025. Work will include removal and building new road pavements, including asphalting, line-marking and median island work and traffic changes; stormwater and pavement work; traffic signal work and road crossings; utility adjustments, and bridge works.

Out of hours work will take place from Thursday 1 May to Saturday 31 May between 7pm and 7am from Sunday to Thursday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday weather permitting. Normal working hours are between 7am and 6pm on weekdays.

Lane and shoulder closures with a 40km/h speed reduction will be in place during some night work. Contra-flow arrangements will be in place during asphalt works. Motorists are advised to follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers, use alternative routes where possible or allow up to 15 minutes extra travel time.

Operators of Over Size or Over Mass vehicles with a ground contact wider than 3.2 metres or with overall width wider than 4.5 metres are advised to contact the project team at least one day ahead of movement on 1800 515 141. Significant delays could occur if failure to contact. OSOM operators are advised the project operates on UHF channel 45. 

Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in the permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

For more information, read the May Community update (PDF, 186.72 KB).

April 2025 - Work update

Transport for NSW will be completing night work in April 2025. Work will include removal and building new road pavements, including asphalting, line-marking and median island work and traffic changes; stormwater and pavement investigations; traffic signal work and road crossings; utility adjustments and investigations, and bridge works at Ironbark Creek Bridge.

Out of hours work will take place from Tuesday 1 April to Wednesday 30 April between 7pm and 7am from Sunday to Thursday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday weather permitting. Normal working hours are between 7am and 6pm on weekdays. The project team will be on break for the Easter period from Thursday 17 April and will resume work on Tuesday 22 April 2025. Standby crews will be available during this time and site security, including surveillance cameras, will be in place.

Lane and shoulder closures with a 40km/h speed reduction will be in place during some night work.

Contra-flow arrangements will be in place during asphalt works. Motorists are advised to follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers, use alternative routes where possible or allow up to 15 minutes extra travel time.

Operators of Over Size or Over Mass vehicles with a ground contact wider than 3.2 metres or with overall width wider than 4.5 metres are advised to contact the project team at least one day ahead of movement on 1800 515 141. Significant delays could occur if failure to contact. OSOM operators are advised the project operates on UHF channel 45. 

Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in the permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

For more information, read the April community update (PDF, 185.09 KB).

March 2025 - Work update

Transport for NSW will be completing night work in March 2025. Work will include removal and building new road pavements, including asphalting, line-marking and median island work and traffic changes; stormwater and pavement investigations; traffic signal work and road crossings; utility adjustments and investigations, and bridge works at Ironbark Creek Bridge.

Out of hours work will take place from Saturday 1 March to Monday 31 March between 7pm and 7am from Sunday to Thursday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday weather permitting. Normal working hours are between 7am and 6pm on weekdays.

Lane and shoulder closures with a 40km/h speed reduction will be in place during some night work.

Contra-flow arrangements will be in place during asphalt works. Motorists are advised to follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers, use alternative routes where possible or allow up to 15 minutes extra travel time.

Operators of Over Size or Over Mass vehicles with a ground contact wider than 3.2 metres or with overall width wider than 4.5 metres are advised to contact the project team at least one day ahead of movement on 1800 515 141. Significant delays could occur if failure to contact.

Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in the permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

For more information, read the March community update (PDF, 166.89 KB).

February 2025 - Work update

The new bridge over Ironbark Creek/Toohrnbing is now open. Traffic in both directions will be directed onto the new bridge. Please take care through this new traffic pattern and drive safely.

Transport for NSW will be completing night work in February 2025. Work will include removal and building new road pavements, including asphalting, line-marking and median island work and traffic changes; stormwater and pavement investigations; traffic signal work and road crossings; utility adjustments and investigations, and bridge works at Ironbark Creek Bridge.

Out of hours work will take place from Saturday 1 February to Friday 28 February between 7pm and 7am from Sunday to Thursday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday weather permitting. Normal working hours are between 7am and 6pm on weekdays.

Lane and shoulder closures with a 40km/h speed reduction will be in place during some night work.

Contra-flow arrangements will be in place during asphalt works. Motorists are advised to follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers, use alternative routes where possible or allow up to 15 minutes extra travel time.

Operators of Over Size or Over Mass vehicles with a ground contact wider than 3.2 metres or with overall width wider than 4.5 metres are advised to contact the project team at least five day ahead of movement on 1800 515 141. Significant delays will occur if failure to contact. OSOM operators are advised the project operates on UHF channel 45.

Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in the permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

January 2025 - Work update

The new bridge over Ironbark Creek/Toohrnbing is now open. Traffic in both directions will be directed onto the new bridge. Please take care through this new traffic pattern and drive safely.

Transport for NSW will be completing night work in January 2025. Work will include removal and building new road pavements, including asphalting, line-marking and median island work and traffic changes; stormwater and pavement investigations; traffic signal work and road crossings; utility adjustments and investigations, and bridge works at Ironbark Creek Bridge.

Out of hours work will take place from Monday 6 January to Friday 31 January between 7pm and 7am from Sunday to Thursday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday weather permitting. Normal working hours are between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and 8am and 1pm on Saturdays.

Lane and shoulder closures with a 40km/h speed reduction will be in place during some night work.

Contra-flow arrangements will be in place during asphalt works. Motorists are advised to follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers, use alternative routes where possible or allow up to 15 minutes extra travel time.

Operators of Over Size or Over Mass vehicles with a ground contact wider than 3.2 metres or with overall width wider than 4.5 metres are advised to contact the project team at least one day ahead of movement on 1800 515 141. Significant delays could occur if failure to contact.

Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in the permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

December 2024 - Work update

The new bridge over Ironbark Creek/Toohrnbing is now open. Traffic in both directions will be directed onto the new bridge. Please take care through this new traffic pattern and drive safely.

Transport for NSW will be completing night work in December 2024. Work will include removal and building new road pavements, including asphalting, line-marking and median island work and traffic changes; stormwater and pavement investigations; traffic signal work and road crossings; utility adjustments and investigations, and bridge works at Ironbark Creek Bridge.

Out of hours work will take place from Sunday 1 December to Friday 20 December between 7pm and 7am from Sunday to Thursday, and 7am to 6pm on Saturday weather permitting.

Normal working hours are between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and 8am and 1pm on Saturdays.

Lane and shoulder closures with a 40km/h speed reduction will be in place during some night work.

Contra-flow arrangements will be in place during asphalt works. Motorists are advised to follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers, use alternative routes where possible or allow up to 15 minutes extra travel time.

Operators of Over Size or Over Mass vehicles with a ground contact wider than 3.2 metres or with overall width wider than 4.5 metres are advised to contact the project team at least one day ahead of movement on 1800 515 141. Significant delays could occur if failure to contact.

Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in the permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

Project information

Background

The Pacific Highway (Maitland Road) is a critical link in the National Land Transport Network, providing access to and from the Portal of Newcastle. It carries some of the highest traffic volumes in the Hunter.

The proposed six kilometre-long project would improve traffic flow along this critical route, deliver more reliable travel times for freight, and increase safety for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

The proposed scope of the Hexham Straight project involves the addition of an extra lane in both directions, removal of the existing bridges and construction of two new bridges at Ironbark Creek, adjustments to connecting roads as well as significant utility relocation.

Late last year, Transport for NSW formed an Alliance with Georgiou, Daracon and SMEC to design and build the project.

Major construction has begun and the project is expected to be open to traffic in 2026.

Features and benefits

The proposed improvements at Hexham include:

  • Upgrades to the six kilometre section of the Pacific Highway between the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Hexham Bridge.
  • Widening of the dual carriageway from two lanes to three lanes in each direction
  • Demolition of the existing Ironbark bridge and construction of two new bridges at Ironbark Creek
  • Minor intersection upgrades and property adjustments
  • Utility relocation.

Key benefits

Key benefits of the proposal include:

  • Improved connection between Pacific Highway (Maitland Road) known as Hexham Straight between Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Hexham Bridge
  • 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.

Next steps

Major construction is underway and the project is expected to be completed in 2026.

 

Interactive portal

To learn more about this project, view our interactive portal for more information.

 

Community information

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Project documents

Some documents on this page may not comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG).

If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us.

 

Project updates

Reports

Review of environmental factors

Contact us

For further information about this project, please contact:

Phone: 1800 515 141 (during business hours)

Email:hexhamstraight@transport.nsw.gov.au

Mail: Hexham Straight Project Manager, Transport for NSW, Locked Bag 2030, Newcastle NSW 2300

 

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