FOUR Lower Hunter councils have been awarded a combined $12.3 million in state and federal funding for local roads projects.
The funds for projects in the Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland and Port Stephens council areas are part of $382 million in joint-funding announced by the two tiers of government.
In Lake Macquarie, $1.4 million will go towards a 1.2-kilometre upgrade of Racecourse Road in Teralba. Another $2.2 million has been allocated for the widening of Ruttleys Road in Wyee.
In Cessnock, more than $1.8 million will go towards paving parts of Old Maitland Road. Part of Mitchell Avenue in Kurri Kurri will be resurfaced, likewise part of Cessnock Road in Weston.
In Port Stephens, work will be carried out on Kula and Fairlands roads in Medowie, along with Fullerton Cove Road at Fullerton Cove.
A host of projects won funding in Maitland, including upgrades to Woodberry Road, Paterson Road, Maitland Vale Road and others.
Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister, Michael McCormack, said the projects would generate jobs and help stimulate struggling local economies.
"The injection will see $382 million of joint funding allocated to shovel-ready projects able to start in the next 12 months, driving an estimated 3,500 jobs in regional NSW," he said.
The projects must be delivered by the councils within two years.
Paul Toole, the NSW Regional Roads and Transport Minister, said the state government was accelerating its funding to get more local projects underway.
"We're not just putting our foot down in terms of delivering this package - we're turbocharging it to ensure we create jobs and create better journeys on the roads that really matter to local communities," he said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Catherine Cusack said the works would ultimately result in smoother, safer trips for motorists.
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