Muswellbrook Bypass - New England Highway
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
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If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us.
Project updates
- November 2021 project update
Concept design and review of environmental factors display. - October 2021 project update
Community feedback on preferred option. - November 2020 project update
Preferred Option November 2020. - February 2019 project update
New England Highway – Muswellbrook bypass.
Review of environmental factors
- November 2021 Muswellbrook bypass review of environmental factors
Muswellbrook bypass – New England Highway. - Appendix A
Biodiversity Assessment Report. - Appendix B
Socio economic working paper. - Appendix D
ISEPP Consultation. - Appendix E
Flood Assessment. - Appendix F (PDF, 44.14 MB)
Mining Assessment Report. - Appendix G
Government agencies and stakeholder consultation. - Appendix H
Consideration of clause 228(2) factors and Matters of National Environmental Significance and Commonwealth Land. - Appendix I
Surface and Groundwater Assessment. - Appendix J
Phase I - Contamination Assessment. - Appendix K
Traffic and Options Modelling Report. - Appendix L
Noise and Vibration Technical Report. - Appendix M
Heritage Assessment and Statement of Heritage Impact. - Appendix N
Air Quality Impact Assessment Methodology and Data. - Appendix O
Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment.
Reports
- September 2021 Community Consultation report
- July 2018 options report
New England Highway Muswellbrook Bypass.
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