A shortlist of tenderers to design and build the New England Highway bypass has been released.
The biggest infrastructure project in Singleton will be awarded to one of Acciona Constructions Australia, Fulton Hogan Construction or John Holland.
The planned bypass of Singleton in the Hunter Region would improve the movement of freight and journeys for current and future traffic demands.
To date, the Australian Government has committed $560 million to the project while the NSW Government, for its end, is kicking in $140 million.
Early work on the project is scheduled to start in late 2022, weather permitting, and the bypass is expected to open to traffic in late 2026.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the bypass will remove one of the Hunter region’s most notorious bottlenecks.
“The eight-kilometre project will bypass five sets of traffic lights in Singleton’s CBD and remove about 15,000 vehicles a day from the town centre, ease congestion and improve safety as well as deliver time savings for thousands of motorists each day,” she said.
“It also delivers economic growth and will support more than 1,300 jobs during construction.”
The bypass will include a full interchange with Putty Road and a new 600-metre-long bridge at the southern connection.
Provision in the design will be made for a dual carriageway where required to meet future traffic demands.
NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway said the Singleton Bypass will be a game-changer for the freight network.
“I am pleased to announce the shortlist of tenderers to help design and deliver this major project has come down to three companies,” he said.
“Acciona Constructions Australia, Fulton Hogan Construction and John Holland are well qualified to deliver this project and provide value for money, with the contract expected to be announced in mid-2023.”
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