Muswellbrook Bypass - New England Highway

Reviewed

Project overview

Transport for NSW is planning for a future bypass of the New England Highway at Muswellbrook to improve travel times, freight efficiency and safety for all road users.

Latest news

May 2023 - Call for Registrations of Interest

Prequalified contractors were invited to register their interest to design and build the Muswellbrook Bypass in late 2022. Transport is now assessing the formal expressions of interest received during this process.

May 2023 - Early work

Transport for NSW is continuing to plan for the Muswellbrook Bypass. Additional investigations were carried out in late 2022 and early work activities started in February 2023.

Early work activities completed so far include the demolition of two existing buildings and general clearing. Demolition work was carried out by Fenech Demolition Pty Ltd, a local second-generation, family run and proudly Aboriginal owned business.

Future activities include:

  • Relocation of utilities
  • Survey
  • Upgrade local intersections of Sandy Creek Road and Aberdeen Street and Milpera Drive and the New England Highway.

 

Interactive portal

To learn more about this project, view our interactive portal for more information.

Project information

Background

The highway currently passes through the centre of Muswellbrook. It is predominately a two lane road, restricted by numerous intersections, varying speed limits and nearby buildings with minimal setback from the road. The highway carries between 11,000 and 20,000 vehicles through the township each day, about 13 per cent being heavy vehicles.

The proposed bypass would reduce the volume of heavy vehicles travelling through Muswellbrook, improving safety and amenity in the township. The proposal would improve travel times by providing a free flow 100 kilometre per hour alternative route.

The preferred route corridor for the bypass was published in July 2018 and a preferred option for the bypass was announced in November 2020. The preferred option included a refined alignment of the bypass south of Coal Road, and full southern and northern connections with the existing New England Highway. Feedback received on the preferred option was considered to further refine and prepare the concept design and environmental assessment for the bypass.

Objectives

The bypass would have significant benefits including:

  • Improve network efficiency on the New England Highway, particularly travel times for long haul freight movements
  • Improve safety for all road users in the town centre, particularly relating to heavy and light vehicle interactions
  • Improve amenity of Muswellbrook township.
Community engagement

Transport for NSW invited feedback from the community about Muswellbrook Bypass concept design and REF between 23 November 2020 and 18 December 2020.

A submissions report was prepared outlining feedback received from the community and our responses. You can view the submissions report here: Submissions report (PDF, 38.16 MB)

We will continue working with the community and stakeholders during the planning process to understand issues and minimise any potential impacts.

Next steps

Transport for NSW will soon shortlist tenderers to design and build the Muswellbrook Bypass.

Transport for NSW will continue to consult with property owners, residents and other impacted stakeholders and keep the community informed as the project progresses.

Project documents

Some documents on this page may not comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG).

If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us.

 

Project updates

Review of environmental factors

Reports

Media releases

  • 16 April 2021
    Community feedback delivers better bypasses for Singleton and Muswellbrook.
  • November 2020 - Have your say on the Muswellbrook Bypass
  • December 2019 - Muswellbrook Bypass takes a step forward

Contact us

For further information about this project, please contact:

Phone: 1800 517 222

Email: Muswellbrook.Bypass@transport.nsw.gov.au

Mail: Muswellbrook bypass project team, Locked Bag 2030, Newcastle NSW 2300