Singleton Bypass - New England Highway

Reviewed

Project overview

Transport for NSW is planning for a future New England Highway - Singleton Bypass to improve traffic flow, travel times and safety through Singleton town centre by reduced traffic including heavy freight.

The Australian Government has committed $560 million and the NSW Government $140 million to build the Singleton Bypass.

The eight kilometre project will bypass five sets of traffic lights in the CBD and is the largest road infrastructure investment in Singleton's history.

Latest news

May 2023 - Early work

Transport for NSW started early work on the project in late 2022.

Early work activities include:

  • installing fencing along the corridor
  • demolition of existing buildings
  • relocation of power and communication public utilities
  • additional geotechnical investigations
  • additional ground survey.

Early work is being carried out Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm and on Saturday between 8am and 1pm.

Please view the latest project update (PDF, 593.77 KB)

Major work on the Bypass will start in late 2023, weather permitting and is expected to be open to traffic by end of 2026.

Interactive portal

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

Project information

Background

The New England Highway is part of the inland Sydney to Brisbane National Land Transport Network and the primary route connecting the Upper Hunter with Maitland and Newcastle.

The highway passes through the centre of Singleton and carries around 26,000 vehicles, including more than 3700 heavy vehicles, each day.

Traffic volumes are predicted to increase in the next 25 years. The planned bypass of Singleton would improve the movement of freight and journeys for current and future traffic demands.

A preferred option for the bypass was announced in 2016 and involves building a new section of highway west of Singleton across the floodplain, starting near Newington Lane and rejoining the New England Highway north of McDougalls Hill.

The project was approved in August 2020.

Community engagement

Transport for NSW invited feedback from the community about the Singleton Bypass concept design and REF from December 2019 until March 2020.

A submissions report has been prepared outlining feedback received from the community and our responses. View the submissions report (PDF, 20.29 MB).

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

Environmental assessment

The concept design and Review of Environmental Factors (REF) were on display for public comment from Wednesday 18 December 2019 to Sunday 1 March 2020.

During this time, Transport for NSW received a total of 154 submissions relating to the New England highway bypass of Singleton. All submissions made during the display period have been addressed and responded to in a submissions report (PDF, 20.29 MB).

The New England Highway bypass of Singleton Submissions Report relates to the REF prepared for the bypass and summarises the issues raised as well as responses to each issue raised by the community, stakeholders and government agencies.

Next steps

Transport for NSW has shortlisted the tenderers to design and build the Singleton Bypass. A contract is expected to be announced in mid-2023.

Major work on the Bypass will start in late-2023, weather permitting, and is expected to be open to traffic by the end of 2026.

Project documents

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

 

Community information

Frequently Asked Questions

Community updates

Project updates

Review of environmental factors

Reports

Submissions report

Preferred option report

Community consultation report

Preliminary feasibility assessment report

Media releases

  • 19 November 2022 (PDF, 583.07 KB)
    Game-changing bypass a step closer with shortlist released.
  • 16 April 2021
    Community feedback delivers better bypasses for Singleton and Muswellbrook.
  • 20 January 2021
    Momentum builds for Singleton bypass.
  • 24 November 2020
    Singleton Bypass locked in to bust bottleneck.
  • 10 August 2020
    Planning for Singleton Bypass moves ahead.