Construction progress
Track project progress over time with our monthly photos and videos, as well as quarterly score card statistics across construction, sustainability and engagement.
2024
Video update
Quarterly highlight reel
Design
98%
design complete
Community Engagement data
70
complaints (closed)
1,950
emails in/out
1,362
calls/SMS in/out
137
meetings held
104,370
web visitors
Key construction data
87%
of 720,000 tonnes of rock imported
9
of 11 bridges under construction
207
of 268 bridges piles installed
83
of 827 super-T bridge girders in place
71%
of 1.613 million m3 earth moved
32%
of 20.5km total drainage pipes laid
55%
of 500km total wick drains installed
2%
of 190,000 tonnes asphalt laid
Key people data
1,569,938
work hours
68%
local employment
10%
female workers
6%
Indigenous workers
12%
workers in training
14%
under 25
41
apprentices
12
trainees
12
Aboriginal businesses engaged
Sustainability
95%
construction waste diverted from landfill
424
artificial hollows and nest boxes for fauna installed
235
logs and root balls for environmental rehabilitation
Summary
The southern section of the project (Black Hill to Tomago) achieved another milestone with the completion of the first deck pour for the 2.6km long viaduct (bridge).
Preparations for the installation of girders over the New England Highway were made with a 450-tonne crawler crane mobilised to the northern side of the highway.
The team made significant progress on numerous other fronts during November including:
construction of the temporary rock platform in the Hunter River continued with installation of sheet piles
continuation of bridge work for Black Hill, Old Punt Road, Tomago and Tarro interchanges
work on the 2.6-kilometre viaduct (bridge) continued with column, headstock and girder placement ongoing
good progress on noise wall, pavement and drainage works on Lenaghan’s Drive and M1
continuation of utility relocation works including communication infrastructure for Telstra, Optus, Vocus and Jemena medium and high-pressure gas main works
ongoing topsoiling and landscaping treatments
commencement of subsoil drainage, kerb installation, and pavement works
progress on the temporary pavement for a traffic switch at Tomago, north of Old Punt Road, planned for early 2025.
Summary
On the northern section of the project, we continue to make significant progress across multiple areas. Piling has been completed for all three bridges and work on the substructures for the bridges over Windeyers Creek and Masonite Road is advancing steadily. At the Raymond Terrace Interchange, the concrete deck pour has been successfully completed, following the girder installation last month.
In terms of drainage and landscaping, concrete pours and shotcreting has commenced for open drains leading to concrete-lined permanent water quality basins, while other open drains are being topsoiled.
Earthworks remain a focus, with the import and placement of material continuing in preparation for asphalting, scheduled to begin next year. Meanwhile, manufacturing of the remaining 64 bridge girders (there are a total of 72 required for the bypass) is progressing offsite, ensuring the project remains on track as we get closer to the end of the year.
Summary
The southern section of the project (Black Hill to Tomago) hit another milestone with the installation of girders at the Tomago interchange, opposite Old Punt Road.
The girders span 50 metres and, due to their size and weight, were cast and delivered in two halves for easier handling and transportation. These halves will be joined and stressed together on site.
The southernmost of the eight bridges on the project – near the corner of Pacific Highway and John Renshaw Drive - has also progressed well in the period with girder installation commenced.
The team has made significant progress on numerous fronts during October including:
construction of the temporary rock platform in the Hunter River continued with installation of pile liners
work on the 2.6-kilometre viaduct (bridge) continued with column, headstock and girder placement gaining momentum
continuation of bridge work for Black Hill, Old Punt Road, Tomago and Tarro interchanges
good progress on noise wall, pavement and drainage works on Lenaghans Drive and M1 in preparation of a traffic switch for Lenaghans Drive in December
continuation of utility relocation works including communication infrastructure for Telstra, Optus, Vocus and Jemena medium and high-pressure gas main works
stage 1 bulk earthworks is substantially complete with road pavement materials ramping up
minor surfacing work on the existing road network continuing. This will increase in the coming months as the project starts to tie into the existing road network.
Summary
This month, we reached a major milestone at the Raymond Terrace interchange with the successful placement of the first eight girders on the project.
Our team has also been hard at work at Windeyers Creek, where we’ve completed the installation of steel piles and poured concrete for key structural elements, preparing the area for the next stage with 54 more girders set to arrive on the project soon.
At Masonite Road, we're making strong headway on earthworks as we prepare for the final phase of piling for bridges, which will support the new bridge structure over the road, keeping us on track for upcoming stages.
Across the project, foundation treatments and bulk earthworks are 75% complete. Alongside these advancements, topsoiling and planting have commenced along completed drainage areas.
To protect the Tomago Sand Beds, we're constructing a series of water quality basins designed to capture any potential spills from the motorway before they reach sensitive areas. Over the past months, we've installed liners in these basins and poured over 800 cubic metres of concrete to secure them.
Summary
The southern section of the project (Black Hill to Tomago) hit another major milestone with the first bridge deck being poured in mid-September.
The new bridge, located opposite Tomago Road, will form part of the new motorway interchange at Tomago.
We have made significant progress on numerous fronts during September including:
work began on the temporary rock platform in the Hunter River for construction of viaduct (bridge)
work on the 2.6-kilometre viaduct (bridge) continues with piling now on the northern side of the Hunter River
continuation of bridge work for Black Hill, Old Punt Road, Tomago and Tarro interchanges
continuation of utility relocation works including communication infrastructure for Telstra, Optus, Vocus and Jemena medium and high-pressure gas main works
completion of temporary carriageway alignment on Pacific Hwy and Tomago Road to prepare for the upcoming traffic switch
traffic signal work at Tomago Road / Pacific Hwy
noise wall, pavement and drainage work on Lenaghans Drive and M1
moved more than 1.6 million tonnes of material from cut to fill area ahead of paving
commissioning and testing for the pug mill for paving.
Summary
Despite the wet weather during the middle and end of September, significant progress was made in drainage work, with the completion of open drains at the southern end of the project in Heatherbrae. This included the excavation and installation of the waterproof membrane for permanent basins which we are expecting to commence concrete pouring next month.
Foundation treatments have been completed at the northern end of the project, while bulk earthworks continue across the project forming the new motorway alignment.
Bridge construction also saw some key milestones, with piles for bridge abutments at Windeyers Creek (Bridge 11) completed and the central pier for the bridge at the Raymond Terrace Interchange (Bridge 12) successfully poured.
We're looking forward to the next month as we continue to fabricate the girders (concrete beams) for Bridge 12, which will be lifted and placed into position to form the new carriageway.
Watch this space!
Summary
The southern section of the project (Black Hill to Tomago) hit a major milestone with the first bridge girders lifted into place in early August. This marks a crucial step in the construction of the 2.6km viaduct (bridge) spanning the Hunter River, the Main North Rail Line and New England Highway.
We have made significant progress on numerous fronts during August including:
successful relocation of the Hunter water main which will enable the team to complete work next to the New England Highway
moving about one million tonnes of earth from cut areas to fill areas
start of landscaping batters to stabilise and manage dust
temporary pavement widening on the Pacific Highway, New England Highway and M1 Motorway to prepare for future traffic switches
utility relocation for Optus, Telstra and Vocus at Tarro and the Pacific Highway
start of bridge work for the new interchanges at Black Hill, Tarro and Tomago
work on the 2.6-kilometre viaduct (bridge) including construction of columns and headstocks ahead of placement of girders
preparation for paving with the establishment of a pug mill on site.
Summary
In August, we continued bridge construction at the northern end of the project, including driving pile cases and a pouring concrete at the new interchange at Raymond Terrace site (Bridge 12) and Windeyers Creek (Bridge 11).
Other activities carried out during the month included:
placing and compacting imported fill material
installation of cross drainage culverts and headwalls
foundation treatments
construction of piling pads at bridge abutments
permanent fencing (fauna and security fencing)
Summary
The project team has been busy with bulk earthworks and drainage either side of the Hunter River and pavement work is now underway on the existing M1 Motorway and Lenaghans Drive ahead of upcoming traffic switches.
Piling for the viaduct is also continuing on the western side of the Hunter River and the team is preparing for its first girder lift in early August.
Other key work activities included:
Piling for interchange bridges for the New England Highway and M1 Pacific Motorway
Reinforced wall construction near Tomago Road and Old Punt Road
Concrete work for the bridge near Tomago Road
Preparation for the relocation of the Hunter Water main
Utility relocations ongoing at Tarro and Tomago
Girders being delivered for bridges between Black Hill and Tomago
Summary
During July, the Heatherbrae Bypass team began piling activities at the northern-end of the project at Raymond Terrace. These works include the mobilisation of a 300-tonne crane and piling rig at the new interchange at Raymond Terraces site (Bridge 12) and a 110-tonne crane at the new main carriageway over wetlands at Windeyers Creek site (Bridge 11) which will be used to drive steel tube piles into the ground.
Other activities carried out during July included:
placing and compacting imported fill material
installation of cross drainage culverts and headwalls
foundation treatments
construction of piling pads at bridge abutments
permanent fencing (fauna and security fencing)
Summary
Bulk earthworks and drainage continued in June both north and south of the Hunter River. Pavement works on the existing M1 Motorway and Lenaghan Drive also continued along with piling for the viaduct. Piling equipment was moved to two other bridge locations and the first bridge headstock was poured for the viaduct.
Other work activities included:
Completion of the reinforced earth walls for the construction of the bridge near Tomago Road
Start of construction of reinforced earth walls for the bridge near Old Punt Road
Continued piling for the viaduct
Continued preparation work for the relocation of the Hunter Water main
Completion of Ausgrid utilities relocation at Black Hill
Delivery of girders for bridges between Black Hill and Tomago
Start of preparation works for the lifting of girders for the viaduct over the rail line at the beginning of August
Summary
A significant milestone on the northern section of the project was achieved this month as southbound traffic on the Pacific Highway was switched onto temporary road pavement. This traffic switch enables the construction team to build the southbound off-ramp which will form part of the new northern interchange over the M1 Pacific Motorway at Raymond Terrace.
Other activities carried out during June included:
placing and compacting imported fill material
installation of cross drainage culverts and headwalls
foundation treatments
construction of piling pads at bridge abutments
permanent fencing (fauna and security fencing)
Summary
During May, we finished remediation works at Tomago, started relocation of communications cabling and continued with bridge construction across the project despite nearly two weeks of wet weather.
Other work activities included:
Completed the abutment for the viaduct which will now be allowed to settle before building the road
Started work in the Hunter River with the installation of silt curtains and navigation aids
Completed piling on two bridges at Tomago
Poured the first headstock (which forms the top of the pier)
Built two new site compounds for site personnel
Completed Aurizon Road realignment in preparation for Hunter Water main relocation
Started drainage realignment and road widening works
Continued utilities relocations
Received the first precast concrete girder (Super T) for bridges
Completed the water main realignment and cutover at Hunter Regional Botanic Gardens.
Summary
This month, we continued placing and compacting imported fill material and despite the ongoing wet weather we achieved some key milestones across the project:
completion of works in the median on the Pacific Highway at Raymond Terrace in preparation for a traffic switch
construction of piling pads at the bridge site of the northern interchange at Raymond Terrace
first watermain installed as part of Hunter Water watermain relocation works
first drainage pipe installed at the southern end of the project
We will continue to progress earthworks activities and welcome bridge piling crews mobilising to site over the next month.
Summary
In the past month we have continued clearing, stripping topsoil and bulk earthworks in earnest despite plenty of wet weather across the project. We have also continued:
access track construction
fencing
drainage installation
piling
construction of headstocks and columns for bridges
construction of reinforced earth walls
demolition of existing noise walls
construction of the new Aurizon Road
utilities relocation.
New activities also included:
work on the northern compound next to Tomago Road
casting of bridge components
Start of work on the M1 crossover for upcoming traffic staging.
Summary
During April, we continued preparation for stormwater drainage installation and bridge construction across all fronts. Work activities included:
placing and compacting imported fill material
excavation and placement of sand for sand encapsulation
foundation treatments
construction of piling pads at bridge abutments
permanent fencing (fauna and security)
Pacific Highway median works in preparation of Stage 1A traffic switch at Raymond Terrace
watermain relocation works
Summary
In the past month we have continued clearing, stripping topsoil and bulk earthworks in earnest. We have also continued:
moving earth from cut areas to fill areas
construction of the Aurizon Road
fencing
piling for bridges
importing rock for construction of access tracks, piling pads, and storage areas
drainage construction
utilities relocation
New activities also included:
work on the northern compound next to Tomago Road
casting of bridge components
start of work on the M1 crossover for upcoming traffic staging.
Summary
During March, we continued major earthworks activities in preparation for stormwater drainage installation and bridge construction, including:
delivery of imported materials and moving earth from cut areas to fill areas
utility relocations including sewerage and electrical
boundary fencing installations
foundation treatments for new road pavement
Summary
In the past month we have continued much of the work that begun in January, including:
Tree clearing and stripping topsoil across the project
Moving earth from cut areas to fill areas
Importing rock for construction of access tracks, piling pads, and storage areas - with the access track expected to reach the Hunter River in March, ready for start of work in the river
Installation of instruments to measure the settlement of fill areas
Drainage
Boundary fencing
Piling for bridges
Utilities relocation
Restoration of the RZM site at Tomago
We also completed:
Construction of a u-turn bay at Anderson Drive Tarro allows trucks to access the New England Highway on-ramp
Summary
In the past month, we have carried out major work on several fronts, including:
completion of vegetation and tree clearing, stripping of topsoil an mulching
delivery of imported materials and moving earth from cut areas to fill areas
utility relocations including sewerage and electrical
boundary fencing installations
completion of site investigations and survey work
foundation treatments for new road pavement
completion of a temporary waterway crossing constructed at Windeyers Creek
completion of demolition of existing houses and industrial shed
Summary
In the past month we have started major work on several fronts, including:
Tree clearing and stripping of topsoil at Black Hill
Moving earth from cut areas to fill areas
Importing rock construction of access tracks, piling pads and storage areas
Installation of wick drains to remove water from earthworks foundations
Installation of instruments to measure the settlement of fill areas
Drainage
Boundary fencing
Construction of a u-turn bay at Anderson Road Tarro allow trucks to access the New England Highway on-ramp
Start of piling for bridge foundations
Utilities relocation
Restoration of the contaminated RZM site
Summary
In the past month we have started major work on several fronts, including:
vegetation and tree clearing, stripping of topsoil and mulching
delivery of imported materials and moving earth from cut areas to fill areas
utility relocations including sewerage and electrical
boundary fencing installations started
site investigations and survey work
foundation treatments for new road pavement
temporary waterway crossing constructed at Windeyers Creek
demolition of existing houses and industrial shed