Singleton’s largest ever road infrastructure project is progressing well, with piling and pier work now underway on four bridges on the Singleton Bypass.
The eight-kilometre bypass will divert the New England Highway from travelling through Singleton, avoiding five sets of traffic lights and removing about 15,000 vehicles a day from the town centre.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King said the finished project will ease the passage of freight, improve safety and congestion, and deliver time savings for the 26,000 motorists who use this section of the New England Highway each day.
“It’s fantastic to see the biggest road infrastructure project in Singleton’s history starting to take shape,” said Minister King.
“I look forward to seeing the project progress as part of this great partnership between the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments.
“The project is also giving the local economy a welcome boost by supporting more than 1,300 jobs during construction.”
The project includes the construction of six bridges. The project reached a major milestone last week when the first girder was placed on the longest bridge– a 1.6-kilometre section on Doughboy Hollow floodplain.
Work is also well underway on bridges located at the southern connection, the crossing of the Hunter River and the crossing of the New England Highway at Gowrie. Piling and construction of piers will continue across the project for about three months.
A total of 435 girders, 207 piles and 161 pier columns will be put in place over the next six months to form the bridges, while other work is continuing across the project for the relocation of utilities and major earthworks.
“Well done to the project team and its contractor, hitting the ground running with major construction starting last September,” said NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister, Jenny Aitchison.
“Bridge building is an important step, and motorists will soon begin to see the magnitude of the bypass taking shape before their eyes.
“The Singleton bypass will improve the lives of people living and working right across the Hunter region through safer journeys, shorter travel times and more efficient freight transport,” she said.
The Singleton Bypass will feature eight kilometres of new highway, with a single lane in each direction, a full interchange at Putty Road and connections to the New England Highway at the southern and northern ends of the bypass and at Gowrie Gates.
The bypass is expected to open to traffic in late 2026, weather permitting. It is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments, with the Commonwealth contributing $560 million and the State Government contributing $150 million.
