The upgrade of Cessnock Road at Testers Hollow is moving full steam ahead, with major construction work to build a more flood-resilient road now under way.
The Australian Government has committed $15 million while the New South Wales Government has provided $2 million towards the Testers Hollow upgrade.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the upgrade would provide a new, higher road designed to boost regional connectivity and reduce the impacts of flooding.
“We know Hunter communities are keen to see work progress on this project to build a new, two-lane road that will be 1.5 metres higher than the existing road,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Cessnock Road is an important regional transport route and upgrading it will deliver social and economic benefits.
“This will help prevent the frustration and delays caused whenever flooding hits the region and allow more reliable journeys in the Maitland area.”
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the project is helping to support about 50 jobs and is providing work for an estimated 10 suppliers and contractors in the Hunter region, pumping much-needed funds into the local economy.
“Work has been underway for about 12 months, but the community may not have seen much activity recently as the project team waited for the new raised embankment to settle,” Mr Toole said.
“More than 17,000 cubic metres of fill went into this 120-metre-long embankment, which has been built to a height of about five metres above the existing level of the old road.
“The settlement process allowed the underlying soft soils to consolidate before work to build the new road begins and, with that completed, the community will now see work kicking into gear all around the site.”
Senator for New South Wales Hollie Hughes said this complex and long-awaited project is another example of the Australia Government’s commitment to jobs in the Hunter region and connecting communities.
“Labor made hollow promises to fix Testers Hollow for decades, but our Government is delivering,” Ms Hughes said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said it was great to see the project powering ahead.
“Material removed from the new embankment will be reused to build the new road, with the project on track to open to traffic in 2023,” Mr Martin said.
Transport for NSW will continue to keep the community and stakeholders informed as the project progresses.
