Frequently asked questions

The Hexham Straight Widening project will: 

• Improve the connection between Newcastle and the New England Highway, M1 Motorway and the Pacific Highway

• Improve traffic flow for motorists and freight for more reliable travel times

• Support economic growth at key employment areas such as the Port of Newcastle and Greater Newcastle

The project would create and support about 750 jobs during construction.

There are no plans to implement a toll on the completed road.

The speed limit on Maitland Road will remain unchanged and will have a posted speed limit of 80km/h.

During construction, speed reductions will required for the safety or workers and road users.

The project is expected to save you up to 7 minutes of travel time during peak periods once completed.

The upgrade will create more reliable travel times for freight by improving the connection between Newcastle and the New England Highway, M1 Motorway and the Pacific Highway.

During construction, there would be travel delays that affect heavy vehicle traffic. To mitigate these impacts, construction would be staged to ensure Maitland Road remains open in both directions. Transport will consult with the freight industry throughout detailed design and construction.

There would be some localised delays on existing roads at peak times during construction. Where possible, construction would be undertaken outside of peak periods. It would also would be staged to ensure Maitland Road remains open in both directions. However, the completed project is expected to significantly reduce traffic delays which would improve travel times and reliability.

The project includes upgrades to the cycle network to improve access, connectivity and safety for cyclists. Features include:

• A dedicated two-metre wide shoulder for cyclists

• A new 900 metre shared user path along Maitland Road 

• A new 330 metre shared user path along the western side of Newcastle Inner City Bypass on the approach to Maitland Road

• Replacing the cycle lane at the A1 Pacific Highway and Maitland Road intersection with a new signalised pedestrian crossing to reduce the risk of crashes. 

Access would be maintained for cyclists and pedestrians in both directions during construction.

To find out more about cyclist improvements, here.

As part of the REF, the potential noise and vibration impacts during construction and operation of the project have been assessed in accordance with relevant NSW noise and vibration guidelines.

A detailed noise assessment was carried out to evaluate and predict the potential impact of construction and operation. Noise monitoring and traffic counts were carried out to measure traffic noise from the existing road network. A computer based noise model was used to simulate the existing noise environment, predict future traffic noise levels and assess the need for noise mitigation measures.

Transport has identified potential mitigation measures to reduce construction noise impacts, including the use of acoustic screening to avoid out of hours work where possible.

To find out more about noise impacts, click here.

Properties within the study area have been identified in the REF noise and vibration assessment as eligible for consideration noise mitigation. Eligible property owners would be contacted by the project team to discuss possible mitigation measures before construction starts.

The effects of airborne dust during construction would be temporary and of relatively short duration. For all construction work, we aim to prevent dust related impacts through:

• Suppressing dust with water

• Covering stockpiles of loose materials or applying seeding and temporary vegetation cover if stored for longer periods

• Cleaning up loose materials from hard surfaces

• Selecting equipment and materials handling techniques that minimise the potential for dust generation.

We have identified properties impacted and potentially impacted by the project. We will contact you directly if we need to enter your property to carry out field investigations to help gather information needed in the development of the project.

We also need to acquire a small part of two privately owned properties in order to deliver the project.

We will contact all directly affected landowners, and consult with them about the impacts to their land. Compensation to landowners directly impacted by the project (full or partial acquisitions) is governed by the Just Terms Compensation Act 1991.

Further information on the process used for property acquisition can be found at https://www.propertyacquisition.nsw.gov.a u/property-acquisition-process.

The construction phase would result in increased customers and trade for some businesses in response to the day-to-day needs of construction workers.

During construction, the community and businesses in the area would likely experience temporary traffic delays, noise and air quality and visual amenity impacts. Property owners likely to be impacted would be notified before work starts.

Access to businesses near the proposal would be maintained during construction, although temporary access changes may be required for some businesses that have a frontage to Maitland Road. Temporary access changes will be agreed with the affected business owner.

Flood levels in the project area during construction are expected to increase between 10-20mm in the one in 100 year flood event.  A flood management plan would be developed to minimise flood impacts during construction.

Currently without the project, the peak flood levels within the Hexham area are up to 3m in the one in 100 year flood event. Once completed, most of the flood-affected residential, commercial and industrial properties would experience less than 30mm change in the same flood event. Flood impacts during operation would be reviewed during detailed design and in consultation with affected residences where relevant.

For a more detailed overview of flood impacts, click here

The proposal will maintain existing water flow under Maitland Road to Hexham Swamp during operation and no changes are expected from the proposal to the existing surface water hydrology, including sensitive receiving environments such as Hexham Swamp and surround wetlands.

For a more detailed overview of hydrology impacts, click here

Property access will be maintained at all times during construction. Transport will consult with landowners before making any changes to access arrangements that are necessary during construction.

The upgrade would impact access to some properties through the closure of the median at five locations along Maitland Road. The proposal provides U-turn facilities at Sparke Street, Shamrock Street, and Old Maitland Road at Hexham to provide safe, alternative access at these locations. A map detailing these changes can be found here.

Any changes to access will provide the same level of access unless agreed to by the landowner.

A complaints management procedure would be implemented before the start of construction, in addition to a Community Communication Strategy. This would include measures for responding to complaints and the establishment of an 1800 telephone number maintained at all times (24 hours a day).

The project has sought to avoid and minimise environmental impacts through the options selection and design process and would continue to do so during detailed design. Where potential impacts could not be avoided, appropriate environmental management measures have been identified to manage these impacts.

Transport follows a four-stage process of consultation and investigation to assess known or potential impacts to Aboriginal cultural heritage. The process includes:

• Assessing if the project could impact Aboriginal cultural heritage, identifying if further assessment is necessary

• Surveying the project area

• Formal consultation and preparing a Cultural Heritage Assessment Report

• Post-approval implementation of management recommendations identified in the assessment and consultation.

At all stages, local Aboriginal stakeholders and a suitably qualified archaeologist have been engaged to assist the project team.

The EIS area would impact on one previously recorded item, which requires an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP).

An Aboriginal cultural heritage interpretation plan would also be developed as the REF is located within areas identified as having Aboriginal cultural values.

About 3.82 hectares of native vegetation would be removed, including potential habitat for 14 threatened animal species. A biodiversity offset strategy has been prepared to address unavoidable impacts.

Small parts of the project fall within the Hexham Swamp Nature Reserve and the surrounding wetland area that adjoins the Hexham Swamp Nature Reserve. As these areas are classified as Coastal Wetlands under the State’s planning rules, an EIS has also been prepared to assess impacts on wetlands and is subject to development consent from City of Newcastle Council. 

The potential impacts of the proposal on Coastal Wetlands have been assessed within the EIS. It is intended that the EIS is read in conjunction with the REF.

• For more information about the M1 extension to Raymond Terrace project, please visit the project portal here.