The project would involve building a 3.4 kilometre four-lane divided road including:

• a northern interchange at Newcastle Road
• an interchange providing access to John Hunter Hospital precinct
• a southern interchange at Lookout Road
• structures provided along the bypass to improve connectivity in the bushland for people and animals
• off-road provisions for pedestrians and cyclists including a shared path bridge over Newcastle Road at Jesmond.

A concept design and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was developed to identify potential environmental, social and economic impact during construction and operation. The concept design was completed in March 2018. The Department of Planning and Environment placed the EIS on public exhibition between 16 November and 16 December 2016.

The Submissions and Preferred Infrastructure Report (SPIR) was prepared following public exhibition of the EIS to address all issues raised and provide responses. The SPIR was lodged with the Department of Planning & Environment on 28 June 2018.

The project received environmental approval from the Minister for Planning on 15 February 2019. More information is available in our Project Documents.

We expect to call tenders for the major construction of the bypass in late 2021.

We will continue to keep the community and key stakeholders informed as planning progresses for the Rankin Park to Jesmond bypass project.