Contractor appointed to design & construct $700m Singleton bypass

The much-awaited New England Highway bypass at Singleton in New South Wales is now a step closer to becoming a reality with the appointment of a contractor to design and build the $700 million project. 

Acciona Constructions Australia is the preferred contractor to deliver the eight-kilometre bypass that will help relieve one of the Hunter region’s most notorious bottlenecks. 

“With the major contract now signed, we can really hit the ground running on this vital infrastructure project. 

“The Singleton bypass is another example of the ways the Albanese and Minns Labor governments are working together to deliver critical infrastructure projects that will set nor only the Hunter, but the nation, up for the future,” Duty MLC for the Upper Hunter electorate Emily Suvaal said. 

The Singleton bypass is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments, each committing $560 million and $140 million. 

This project forms part of the Australian Government’s wider $764 million investment in projects along the New England Highway. 

“This is a landmark day for the Upper Hunter, locking in the company to design and construct Singleton’s biggest infrastructure project. 

“The Albanese Government is proud to be partnering with states and territories across the country to deliver the projects that matter,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

Early works on the project commenced in late 2022, involving works such as the erection of fencing along the corridor, demolition of existing buildings, relocation of utilities and additional geotechnical investigations to prepare for major construction activities. 

Major construction on the project is due to start in mid-2024, with the new bypass opening to traffic in late 2026, weather permitting. 

“The Singleton bypass will improve the lives of people living and working right across the Hunter region. 

“When the bypass is built motorists will avoid five sets of traffic lights in Singleton’s CBD and it’ll remove about 15,000 vehicles a day from the town centre – improving safety, slashing travel times and increasing efficiency for all road users,” NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said. 

“This is the biggest road infrastructure project in Singleton’s history and it will benefit so many people who live, work and visit our region. 

“Importantly, the project also delivers economic growth and will support more than 1,300 jobs during construction,” Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi said. 

The proposed scope of the project includes: 

• About eight kilometres of new highway with a single lane in each direction 
• Connection with the New England Highway at the southern end of the bypass (the southern connection) including a southbound entry ramp and northbound exit ramp 
• A bridge over the bypass at the southern connection 
• A bridge over the Main North railway line, the Doughboy Hollow and Hunter River floodplain, Army Camp Road and Putty Road (bridge over the floodplain) 
• Connection to Putty Road including a southbound entry ramp and northbound exit ramp at the Putty Road connection to create a full interchange via a roundabout at Putty Road (the Putty Road connection) 
• A bridge over the entry ramp at the Putty Road connection 
• A bridge over Rose Point floodway 
• A bridge over the Hunter River 
• A bridge over the New England Highway west of the existing Main North railway line overbridge (known as Gowrie Gates) 
• Connection with the New England Highway at Gowrie Gates consisting of a southbound entry ramp and northbound exit ramp. The northbound exit ramp would connect to the New England Highway via a new roundabout intersection at Maison Dieu Road 
• A climbing lane between Gowrie Gates and the northern connection 
• Connection at Magpie Street including providing access to the nearby industrial area (the northern connection), consisting of a southbound entry ramp, southbound exit ramp, and northbound entry ramp 
• A bridge over the bypass at the northern connection 

“There’s always been a lot of questions about whether the bypass would procees and this announcement means we can now move forward with certainty. 

“People will be able to move around like they should be able to, more easily and without needing to plan around regular traffic congestion. 

“The bypass will also allow better access to Singleton and increase opportunities for more housing in our community,” Singleton Council Mayor Sue Moore said. 

Source: Transport for NSW (1, 2, 3); Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government