THE fifth and final section of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass came a step closer to being opened today when politicians gathered for a sneak preview of the completed roadway between Rankin Park and Jesmond.
It will allow road users travelling through Newcastle to bypass eleven sets of traffic lights and is forecast to reduce peak travel times for those travelling north to south by more than half.
The bypass is expected to remove up to 30,000 vehicles a day from Newcastle Road, which is currently used by around 40,000 to 60,000 vehicles daily, as well as Croudace Street and Lookout Road, reducing pressure on local roads and improving travel times across the network.
The Rankin Park to Jesmond section is expected to open to traffic before the end of 2026, weather permitting.
The project will also strengthen connections to key destinations including Bennetts Green, Charlestown and Jesmond shopping centres, the University of Newcastle, the Pacific Highway and the John Hunter Hospital precinct.
With all major bridges now complete and the route connected, work is now focused on finishing the northern interchange ramps, final road surfacing, shared user path connections, traffic systems and landscaping ahead of opening.
The project is the produce of a $488.2 million investment from the federal and state governments, with $390.6 million from the Commonwealth and $97.6 million from New South Wales.
The NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley described the completion of this stage of the project as a major milestone.
"As a Hunter local, I know how much pressure growth is putting on our roads, our hospital precinct and our key centres," Ms Catley said..
"This bypass will help take that pressure off, cut congestion and keep people moving across the region."
Ms Catley was joined by NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison, the federal members for Newcastle and Paterson, Sharon Claydon and Meryl Swanson, and NSW Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery.
"People in Newcastle have been talking about the need for this connection for years, so seeing the bypass fully connected for the first time is a significant moment for our community," Ms Hornery said.
"This project will take pressure off local roads, make trips more predictable and help people spend less time sitting in traffic.
"With the major structures complete and the route now connected, local residents can see the finish line. We're getting closer to opening a piece of infrastructure that will improve the way people move around Newcastle every day."
Ms Atchison thanked the 900 workers who have contributed to the construction of the link "under difficult conditions".
