Hillsborough Road upgrade

The Hillsborough Road upgrade is moving ahead, with AECOM Australia announced to deliver the detailed design for stage one of the project.

Stage one involves upgrading Crockett Street intersection, which will include the installation of traffic lights and duplication of 700 metres of the road at this location.

Construction of stage one is expected to start in 2025 and take about 18 months to complete, depending on final staging arrangements.

Transport for NSW is planning to upgrade Hillsborough Road from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass roundabout to the existing duplication west of Crockett Street. The upgrade would improve traffic flow, safety and accessibility for all road users.

We are planning to deliver the project in stages. The NSW Government has announced $35 million to deliver the first stage of the Hillsborough Road upgrade. Stage 1 involves upgrading Crockett Street intersection, including the installation of traffic lights. Construction of Stage 1 is expected to start in 2025 and take about 18 months to complete depending on final staging arrangements. Timing for construction of the remaining stages is subject to project approvals and funding.

A concept design and Review of Environmental Factors (REF) was prepared for the full upgrade of Hillsborough Road, to identify potential impacts and mitigation measures. The REF was displayed in November and December 2022 and a submissions report has now been published.

Public display of the REF and the supporting consultation resulted in a total of 50 submissions from the community, local elected representatives and community organisations.  The majority of submissions were supportive of the proposal.

The main issues raised included timing for delivery of the project, design issues around traffic lights, facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users, and questions around biodiversity. The submissions report (PDF, 44.81 MB) summarises commnunity comments and provides our responses to the submissions.

On completion, the full upgrade will deliver the duplication of about 1.8 kilometres of Hillsborough Road, installation of traffic lights on Chadwick Street, Barker Avenue and Crockett Street as well as other road and safety improvements.

the full upgrade of Hillsborough Road includes:

• duplication of about 1.8 kilometres of Hillsborough Road from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass roundabout to the existing duplication west of Crockett Street
• two lanes in each direction separated by a raised median
• posted speed limit of 60 km/h
• new traffic lights at the Chadwick Street, Barker Avenue and Crockett Street intersections including pedestrian crossings
• modification to Higham Road with left turn out only
• u-turn bay on Barker Avenue
• new separated left in and left out only exit for access to the Combined Newcastle Canine Club showgrounds
• left in and left out only access from existing businesses and residences fronting Hillsborough Road east of the Combined Newcastle Canine Club showgrounds
• on-road provision for cyclists in both directions and an off-road shared path on the northern side of Hillsborough Road for both cyclists and pedestrians
• upgraded bus stop facilities on Hillsborough Road near the Crockett Street and Chadwick Street intersections and on Crockett Street.

The upgrade does not include changes to the roundabout at the intersection of Hillsborough Road/Medcalf Street and Macquarie Road/King Street at Warners Bay. Transport will continue to seek funding for improvements to this intersection and other key intersections in the area.

Stage 1 – Crockett Street upgrades

The project will be delivered in stages, with stage 1 at Crockett Street expected to start in 2025 and take about 18 months to complete depending on final staging arrangements.

Transport will progress with the detail design following environmental approval and will continue to explore opportunities to accelerate construction.

Remaining stages – Crockett Street to Newcastle Inner City Bypass

Timing for construction of the remaining stages is subject to project approvals and further funding being made available.

We will consider all feedback received during the display period and continue to consult with the community in the next stage of the project.

• November 2023 project update (PDF, 12.28 MB)
  Hillsborough Road upgrade
• November 2022 project update

  Have your say on the concept design and REF.

• July 2021 project update

  Have your say.

• July 2020 project update

  Field investigations on Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough from Monday 20 July 2020.

• August 2023 - Hillsborough Road Upgrade - Submission Report (PDF, 44.81 MB)
  Hillsborough Road Upgrade.
• November 2022 - Hillsborough Road Upgrade - Review of Environmental Factors (PDF, 21.7 MB)
  Hillsborough Road Upgrade
• November 2021 community consultation report

  Hillsborough Road Upgrade.

• November 2022 Review of Environmental Factors (PDF, 21.7 MB)
  Main report
• Appendix A (PDF, 311.16 KB)
  Consideration of section 171 factors and matters of national environmental significance and Commonwealth land
• Appendix B (PDF, 330.93 KB)
  Statutory consultation checklists
• Appendix C (PDF, 6.78 MB)
  Concept design
• Appendix D (PDF, 10.71 MB)
  Biodiversity assessment report
• Appendix E (PDF, 3.84 MB)
  Flood impact assessment
• Appendix F (PDF, 6.87 MB)
  Soil, surface and groundwater assessment report
• Appendix G (PDF, 4.16 MB)
  Preliminary site investigation
• Appendix H (PDF, 3.06 MB)
  Traffic and Transport Assessment Report
• Appendix I (PDF, 26.48 KB)
  Emissions and air quality screening assessment report
• Appendix J (PDF, 39.92 MB)
  Noise and vibration impact assessment
• Appendix K (PDF, 63.15 KB)
  Aboriginal Cultural Heritage assessment report
• Appendix L (PDF, 17.36 MB)
  Urban design strategy
• Appendix M (PDF, 5.36 MB)
  Socio-economic impact assessment and working paper
• Appendix N (PDF, 12.86 MB)
  Concept design

• 22 November 2021

  Community heard on Hillsborough Road plans.

• 21 June 2021

  Budget accelerates Hillsborough Rd upgrade.