Safety First: Adamstown Black Spot Upgrade Finally Underway

Progress is finally being made at one of Newcastle’s most notorious intersections, with the City of Newcastle starting work on a $3.3 million safety upgrade at the busy Adamstown junction of Glebe Road and Park Avenue.

For years, motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians have voiced concerns over the dangers at this intersection, and thanks to the hard work of the City of Newcastle, local engineers, and support from the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, relief is on the way. The project will introduce new traffic lights, intersection realignment, and improved pedestrian and cycling pathways, ensuring safer and more efficient movement for the thousands who travel through the area daily.

City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge welcomed the project as a major step forward in improving safety, saying:

“It’s not going to be a magic solution to the traffic problems here, but it will make it safer.”

Local businesses, schools, and commuters will all benefit from reduced risk of accidents and a more predictable traffic flow, making this project a much-needed improvement for the Adamstown community.

Decades of Debate: Why an Overpass or Underpass Hasn’t Happened

The Adamstown railway crossing has been a long-standing problem in Newcastle’s transport network. For decades, proposals have been put forward to build an overpass or underpass, but none have materialised due to funding constraints, the complexity of the site, and concerns about the impact on surrounding properties.

In the 1990s, a proposal for an overpass was considered but ultimately shelved. Since then, the land once earmarked for such a project has been sold, making an overpass or underpass an increasingly difficult prospect today.

Despite this, the new intersection upgrade represents the most significant safety improvement in years, even if it doesn’t completely solve congestion issues caused by the level crossing.

The Freight Problem: Lower Hunter Freight Corridor Seen as the Real Fix

One of the biggest sources of frustration at Adamstown is the frequent, long delays caused by freight trains. Unlike passenger trains, which clear the crossing quickly, freight trains can block the intersection for several minutes at a time, causing significant traffic build-up.

To address this issue long-term, the NSW Government has proposed the Lower Hunter Freight Corridor, a 30-kilometre dedicated freight rail line from Fassifern to Hexham. This would divert freight trains away from Newcastle’s metropolitan areas, significantly reducing disruptions at Adamstown and other busy level crossings.

However, during a recent press conference, Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon revealed that there is no formal funding proposal currently before the federal government.

“There is no proposal before us at present. We, like all Novocastrians, very eagerly await a proposal that will be put up to the Commonwealth when it’s ready.”

The Lord Mayor strongly supported the project, saying:

“If we could get the Lower Hunter Freight Rail bypass around the western side of Lake Macquarie sorted out, that would be a great thing, not just for Newcastle and Adamstown, but actually for the country and particularly for the Port of Newcastle.”

For now, Adamstown residents will have to wait for state and federal authorities to move forward on the freight corridor while benefiting from the immediate safety improvements being delivered at the intersection.

Community Reactions: A Step Forward, But More Needed

While the traffic lights will help reduce accidents and improve pedestrian safety, some local businesses have expressed concerns over certain changes, such as the removal of the right turn into Wood Street. However, most acknowledge that something needed to be done about the intersection, and this upgrade is a positive step in the right direction.

Residents who have been dealing with this traffic headache for decades are understandably eager for bigger solutions. But with no overpass or underpass on the horizon, and freight train congestion still a major issue, some believe these upgrades, while valuable, won’t completely fix the problem.

One Adamstown local summed it up:

“We’ve been talking about this for decades. This is a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t fix the biggest problem, which is the trains.”

When Will the Work Be Completed?

Construction is set to be completed by mid-2025, with most work happening at night to minimise disruptions for road users and businesses. Engineers and traffic planners are working to ensure the new traffic signals sync properly with the railway gates, improving traffic flow as much as possible.

A Positive Step Toward a Safer Newcastle

While the Adamstown intersection project may not solve all of the congestion issues, it is undeniably a major step forward for safety and accessibility. The City of Newcastle has worked hard to get this project off the ground, and it will bring real, tangible benefits for thousands of people who rely on this route every day.

The conversation around an overpass, underpass, or freight corridor will continue, but for now, Newcastle residents can celebrate an important win for road safety.

With a firm commitment to infrastructure improvements, this project is a sign of progress, and a reminder that Newcastle’s transport challenges are being taken seriously.

For more information on the project, visit the City of Newcastle’s project page:
City of Newcastle – Adamstown Intersection Upgrade

Key Takeaways:

✅ New traffic lights and intersection upgrades will improve safety at one of Newcastle’s busiest intersections.

✅ $3.3 million project includes better pedestrian and cyclist access and a more efficient intersection layout.

✅ Freight trains remain the biggest issue, causing long delays at the level crossing.

✅ The Lower Hunter Freight Corridor is the real long-term solution, but funding remains uncertain.

✅ Completion is expected by mid-2025, with work happening mostly at night.

UPDATE: 9/2/2025 – Work has started

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