Commuters in the Hunter region are breathing a sigh of relief as significant progress continues on the Hexham Straight widening project, with additional northbound lanes now operational between Sparke Street and Hexham Bridge.
Major Milestone Reached for Hunter Commuters
Three northbound lanes have officially opened to traffic, marking the second major lane opening within a week and representing a crucial step forward in addressing one of the region's most notorious traffic bottlenecks. This development follows closely behind the opening of new southbound lanes at the end of October, with the first additional lanes having been introduced back in August.
The upgrade directly benefits approximately 50,000 motorists who rely on this critical transport corridor each day, providing much-needed relief from the chronic congestion that has plagued the area for years.
Bridge Work Advances as Project Nears Completion
The next significant phase involves separating traffic on the new southbound bridge spanning Ironbark Creek. Currently, this bridge accommodates four lanes of traffic - two in each direction - but will soon undergo a traffic shift as work progresses on the parallel northbound bridge.
Construction on the new northbound bridge over Ironbark Creek is scheduled for completion within the coming months. Once this work concludes, the entire six-kilometre Hexham Straight widening project will become fully operational, featuring three lanes in each direction with an increased speed limit of 80km/h.
Final Completion Timeline and Broader Context
Transport authorities confirm that the completed project is expected to open to traffic during the first few months of 2026, bringing to fruition a comprehensive solution to one of the Hunter's most challenging traffic situations.
The Hexham Straight widening forms an integral component of the broader M1 extension to Raymond Terrace project, which recently experienced tragedy with a worker fatality on Thursday, November 6. Both projects are supported by a substantial joint $2.24 billion investment from state and federal governments, underscoring the national significance of this infrastructure upgrade for the Hunter region and beyond.
