Muswellbrook Bypass Fast-Tracked and New Cessnock Bypass Plans

newy.com.au – The Hunter region is set for major transport improvements, with the Albanese Government fast-tracking the Muswellbrook Bypass and funding the planning process for a Cessnock Bypass. The projects aim to ease congestion, improve safety, and better connect residents with jobs and services while supporting the region’s rapid growth.

The government’s $304.8 million investment in the Muswellbrook Bypass will now be delivered sooner than expected. Critical utility relocation work will begin this year, with the major construction tender scheduled for late 2026 and construction to follow in 2027. The bypass will redirect the New England Highway to the east of Muswellbrook, allowing through-traffic to avoid the town centre. This will cut travel times and ensure a smoother journey for motorists and truck drivers heading between Aberdeen and the Liddell region.

Currently, an estimated 13,000 to 20,000 vehicles, including a significant number of heavy trucks, pass through Muswellbrook’s main street each day. The bypass will not only improve traffic flow but also reduce wear and tear on local roads and make the town safer for pedestrians. Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government Catherine King said the decision to bring the project forward was made possible due to the success of the Singleton Bypass.

“Three weeks ago, we inspected the Singleton Bypass, and the progress there has enabled us to bring forward funding to get Muswellbrook underway,” King said. “We were initially concerned about labour constraints in the region, but the work on Singleton has proven that we can move ahead with the next major project sooner than expected.”

The Muswellbrook Bypass is part of the broader New England Highway Corridor upgrades, with nearly $1.1 billion being invested in improvements between Tenterfield and Newcastle. The project is jointly funded, with the NSW Government contributing $76.2 million.

While the Muswellbrook Bypass is moving into construction, the Albanese Government has also committed $5 million in the upcoming budget to kick-start planning for the Cessnock Bypass. The project aims to ease congestion in the fast-growing area by providing an alternate route connecting Bellbird in the southwest to Nulkaba in the north and onwards to the Hunter Expressway.

Cessnock is one of the fastest-growing local government areas in New South Wales, second only to Maitland. With increasing housing developments and tourism, the town’s roads are under significant pressure. Dan Repacholi, Member for Hunter, said the Cessnock Bypass was essential to ensuring the area’s infrastructure keeps pace with its growth.

“For years, people have told me how bad the congestion is in Cessnock,” Repacholi said. “People sit in long queues every day, and it’s only getting worse. This $5 million investment will allow the necessary planning work to get underway so we can create a safer, more efficient way for people to move around.”

While the final route is still in development, Repacholi provided some insight into the proposed bypass, which is expected to run behind Bellbird, past the airport, and reconnect near Wine Country Drive. He acknowledged that extensive community consultation and further planning would be needed before the project moves to the construction phase.

In addition to the bypass projects, road upgrades are already underway on Wollombi Road, with work starting this month following a joint announcement from the federal, state, and local governments. Hart Road has also been identified as needing improvements, with discussions ongoing about future works.

Repacholi also took the opportunity to highlight the broader benefits of the Muswellbrook Bypass, particularly its role in freight and heavy transport. With increasing industrial and energy-related activity in the region, the bypass is expected to significantly cut travel times for major transport routes through the Upper Hunter.

While discussing infrastructure, the press conference also touched on local politics, with journalists questioning Repacholi about Stuart Bonds’ decision to run for Cessnock. Repacholi welcomed the competition, acknowledging that it would likely be a close race with multiple candidates.

The conversation later shifted to nuclear energy, with Repacholi criticising the Coalition’s policy direction under Peter Dutton. He argued that many Liberal candidates were avoiding the topic on their campaign platforms and said the plan lacked essential details.

“They can’t tell us how much it will cost, how long it will take, how much water it will use, or even where all the reactors will be built,” he said. “There are too many unanswered questions, and it’s clear even their own candidates don’t support it.”

With major infrastructure projects progressing and political debates heating up ahead of elections, the Hunter region remains a focal point for both investment and political competition. The Muswellbrook and Cessnock bypass projects will be closely watched in the coming months as planning and construction timelines unfold.