DARACON will build the shared path bridge over Newcastle Road at Jesmond, Transport for NSW has confirmed.
The project is part of the fifth section of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass project between Jesmond and Rankin Park.
The existing signalised Newcastle Road pedestrian crossing at Jesmond Park will be removed and replaced with a 34-metre shared path bridge to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, Transport for NSW Hunter director Anna Zycki said.
This is an important part of the project and has been fast-tracked to allow for the bridge to be installed before major work starts on the bypass.
The new bridge will allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross busy Newcastle Road without impeding the flow of traffic.
Coles Street will also be widened and upgraded to offer pedestrians and cyclists safe passage to the existing bike paths and a shared path to the university.
Ms Zycki said the completed fifth stage of the bypass would let motorists dodge up to 11 sets of traffic lights "and is expected to reduce travel times by up to 80 per cent during the morning and afternoon peaks".
Wallsend MP Sonia Horney had one word for the announcement: "Finally".
"This announcement has been a long time coming and many people thought this was a project that would never come to fruition," she said.
"I look forward to seeing construction underway as soon as possible, and the next stage of tenders for construction of the road works being fast-tracked."
