Pacific Highway improvements at Hexham

Transport for NSW will be completing night work in April 2024. Work will include installation of barriers and line-marking, removal and building new road pavements including asphalting, storm water and drainage work, traffic signal works and bridge works at Ironbark Creek Bridge.

Out of hours work will happen from Tuesday 2 April to Tuesday 30 April between 7pm and 7am from Sunday to Thursday, weather permitting. We will be working during normal construction hours between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and Saturday between 8am and 1pm.   

Work will not be carried out on public holidays from the night of Thursday 28 March. Work will resume on Tuesday 2 April.

Transport for NSW will be completing night work in March 2024. Work will include installation of barriers and line-marking, removal and building new road pavements including asphalting, storm water and pavement investigations, traffic signal works and bridge works.

Out of hours work will happen between 7pm and 7am from Sunday to Thursday, weather permitting. We will be working during normal construction hours between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and Saturday between 8am and 1pm.  

From Monday 25 March, the turning lane into Fenwick Street from Maitland Road will be permanent closed.

From Wednesday 20 March, maritime access below Ironbark Creek Bridge will be temporarily closed until early 2026 to allow bridge work to proceed. As part of this work, we will be installing a temporary construction access bridge with height restrictions to marine access.

If you want more information about the upcoming works, please find the latest project update in 'Project updates' section of this page.

Transport for NSW will be completing night work in February 2024. Work will include installation of barriers and line-marking, removal and building new road pavements including asphalting, storm water and pavement investigations and traffic signal works.

Night work will happen between 7pm and 5am from Sunday to Thursday, weather permitting. We will be working during normal construction hours between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and Saturday between 8am and 1pm.

Transport for NSW will also commence bridge piling for the new southbound bridge over Ironbark Creek from mid-February 2024. Work will take place over ten weeks and will include delivery of plant and materials, building a temporary working platform and installation of bored and driven bridge piles.

If you want more information about the upcoming works, please find the latest project update in 'Project updates' section of this page.

Transport for NSW will be completing night work in January 2024. Work will include installation of barriers and line-marking, removal and building new road pavements, service investigations and traffic signal works.

Night work will happen between 7pm and 5am from Sunday to Thursday, weather permitting. We will be working during normal construction hours between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and Saturday between 8am and 1pm.

The Pacific Highway (Maitland Road) is a critical link in the National Land Transport Network, providing access to and from the Portal of Newcastle. It carries some of the highest traffic volumes in the Hunter.

The proposed six kilometre-long project would improve traffic flow along this critical route, deliver more reliable travel times for freight, and increase safety for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

The proposed scope of the Hexham Straight project involves the addition of an extra lane in both directions, removal of the existing bridges and construction of two new bridges at Ironbark Creek, adjustments to connecting roads as well as significant utility relocation.

Late last year, Transport for NSW formed an Alliance with Georgiou, Daracon and SMEC to design and build the project.

Major construction has begun and the project is expected to be open to traffic in 2026.

The proposed improvements at Hexham include:

• Upgrades to the six kilometre section of the Pacific Highway between the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Hexham Bridge.
• Widening of the dual carriageway from two lanes to three lanes in each direction
• Demolition of the existing Ironbark bridge and construction of two new bridges at Ironbark Creek
• Minor intersection upgrades and property adjustments
• Utility relocation.

Key benefits of the proposal include:

• Improved connection between Pacific Highway (Maitland Road) known as Hexham Straight between Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Hexham Bridge
• Improved traffic flow for motorists and freight for more reliable travel times
• Improved accessibility to the surrounding road network
• Improved safety for all road users.

Major construction is underway and the project is expected to be completed in 2026.

• November 2021 frequently asked questions

  Pacific Highway improvements at Hexham (Hexham Straight Widening).

• April 2024 project notification (PDF, 210.2 KB)
  Hexham Straight Widening night work
• March to May project notification (PDF, 295.33 KB)
  Three month lookahead
• March 2024 project notification (PDF, 524.39 KB)
  Changed access arrangements at Fenwick Street, Hexham from Monday 18 March
• March 2024 project notification (PDF, 209.87 KB)
  Hexham Straight Widening night work
• February 2024 project notification (PDF, 210.15 KB)
  Upcoming work on Maitland Road, Hexham
• February 2024 project notification (PDF, 507.06 KB)
  Bridge work at Ironbark Creek -Hexham Straight Widening
• January 2024 project notification (PDF, 214.87 KB)
  Hexham Straight Widening
• December 2023 project notification (PDF, 208.63 KB)
  Community information session and upcoming work on Maitland Road in December 2023
• November 2023 project notification (PDF, 341.63 KB)
  Shamrock St Utility Adjustment in November 2023
• October and November 2023 project notification (PDF, 247.16 KB)
  Work on Maitland Road at Hexham in October-November 2023
• September 2023 project notification (PDF, 253.76 KB)
  Work on Maitland Road at Hexham in September 2023.
• August 2023 project notification (PDF, 8.59 MB)
  Pacific Highway improvements at Hexham Project update August 2023
• August 2023 project notification (PDF, 8.59 MB)
  Construction work is currently happening.
• August 2023 project notification (PDF, 250.44 KB)
  Upcoming work and updated design.
• July 2023 project notification (PDF, 544.58 KB)
  Work on Maitland Road at Hexham from July 2023.
• July 2022 project update

  Submissions report now online.

• November 2021 project update

  Have your say.

• April 2021 project update

  Community feedback on strategic design.

• December 2020 project update

  Pacific Highway improvements at Hexham (Hexham Straight).

• April 2024 Hexham Straight Widening Community Agreement Outcomes Report (PDF, 210.2 KB) 
• January 2024 Hexham Straight Widening Community Agreement Outcomes Report (PDF, 2.22 MB)
• October 2023 Hexham Straight Widening Community Agreement Outcomes Report (PDF, 2.32 MB)
  Pacific Highway improvements at Hexham (Hexham Straight Widening).
• July 2022 submissions report

  Pacific Highway improvements at Hexham (Hexham Straight Widening).

• July 2022 submissions report appendices

  Appendix A and B.

• July 2022 submissions report appendices

  Appendix C and D.

• July 2022 submissions report appendices

  Appendix E, F and G.

• November 2021 review of environmental factors

  Main report.

• Appendix A

  Concept Design Drawngs.

• Appendix B

  Drainage features.

• Appendix C

  Urban Design, Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment.

• Appendix D

  Construction staging.

• Appendix E

  Consideration of clause 228(2) factors, MNES and Commonwealth land.

• Appendix F

  Statutory checklists.

• Appendix G

  Consultation.

• Appendix H

  Biodiversity Assessment Report.

• Appendix J

  Statement of Heritage Impact.

• Appendix K

  Phase 1 Soils and Contamination Assessment.

• Appendix L

  Flooding and Hydrology Assessment.

• Appendix M

  Noise and Vibration Assessment.

• Appendix N

  Surface Water and Groundwater Assessment.

• Appendix O

  Coastal Processes Assessment.

• Appendix P

  Traffic and Transport Assessment.

• Appendix Q

  Socio-economic, Property and Land Use Assessment.

• Appendix R

  Air Quality Assessment.

• Appendix S

  Climate Change Assessment.

• Appendix T

  Sustainability Assessment.