18 May 2015

Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay and Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter & Central Coast Scot MacDonald today opened the newly upgraded $45 million dual carriageway along Nelson Bay Road.

Minister Gay said the upgraded 4.2 kilometre section of road from Cromarty Lane, Bobs Farm to the Port Stephens Drive roundabout, Anna Bay is a great example of the NSW Government delivering on its commitment to improve key infrastructure routes in the Hunter.

“The upgrade was funded through the NSW Government’s Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund and will improve road safety and provide more reliable travel times for the 7000 motorists using this road each day when travelling between Newcastle and Port Stephens,” Mr Gay said.

“The NSW Government also built five new pedestrian refuges, five u-turn facitilities and 10 bus bays, provided new street lighting and widened road shoulders to improve safety and access.

“The 10 new bus bays will provide a safer sealed area for buses to pull off the road and concrete area where passengers can wait and access buses.

“Protecting native flora and fauna in the area is also a priority – two fauna underpasses and 2.5 kilometres of fauna fencing for koalas and other species have been installed.  A glider rope crossing will also be installed in coming months.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter & Central Coast Scot MacDonald said the completion of the upgrade is great news for both the local community and visitors alike.

“Motorists travelling between Newcastle, Williamtown and the Tomaree Peninsula will hugely benefit from reduced travel time and improved road safety,” said Mr Macdonald.

The NSW Government thanks the community and road users for their patience while the upgrade was completed.

MEDIA:
Clementine Julian 0417 635 891 (Minister Gay)
Nat Openshaw 0439 885 930 (Scot MacDonald)

View the original media release