Night Work and Detours Ahead on M1 and Pacific Highway as Raymond Terrace Extension Progresses

newy.com.au – Motorists and cyclists travelling through the Hunter region are being urged to plan ahead as a series of traffic changes and detours come into effect from Monday, 31 March until Friday, 4 April 2025. These disruptions are part of ongoing construction for the M1 Pacific Motorway extension from Black Hill to Raymond Terrace, including the Heatherbrae Bypass project.

Key Impacts – Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April 2025:

• Eastbound off-ramp closure from New England Highway to Anderson Drive on 31 March, 1 April and 4 April (7pm–5am).
• 10-minute traffic stoppages on the Pacific Highway (Hunter Region Botanic Gardens to Old Punt Rd), 31 March to 3 April (7pm–5am).
• Contraflow traffic arrangements in both directions at:
• New England Highway (Tarro Rail Bridge to John Renshaw Drive) – 31 March, 1 April, 4 April.
• M1 Motorway (Weakleys Drive to Black Hill Rd) – 31 March, 1 April, 4 April.
• Pacific Highway (Richardson Rd to Masonite Rd) – 31 March and 1 April.
• New southbound road alignment opens on Pacific Highway (Richardson Rd to Masonite Rd) from Thursday, 3 April.
• Cyclist detour begins 31 March 2025 until 2028 (Richardson Rd to Masonite Rd).
• Day and night lane closures across multiple locations with 40km/h speed reductions.

Oversize vehicle operators must contact the project team at least 24 hours before travelling.

Night works will occur across various sites with road closures, lane reductions and detours in place to support the major infrastructure build. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be affected on the New England Highway, while contraflows on the M1 and Pacific Highway are designed to keep traffic moving while keeping workers safe.

A long-term cyclist detour will also come into effect on Monday, 31 March 2025, banning bicycle access on the M1 between Richardson Road and Masonite Road due to reduced shoulder widths during the build. Detour signage will guide cyclists via Richardson Road, Adelaide Street, and surrounding roundabouts.

From Thursday, 3 April, southbound traffic on the Pacific Highway between Richardson and Masonite Roads will be shifted onto a newly built road alignment, marking another key milestone in the extension project.

Oversize and over-mass vehicle drivers are advised to contact relevant project teams at least one day in advance—failure to do so may result in major delays. Permits must reflect current approved routes.

Works will continue during daylight hours Monday to Saturday, with additional out-of-hours activity at night. Daytime closures and reduced speed limits will be enforced at Lenaghans Drive, Old Punt Road, and other surrounding roads, with night work also affecting areas like Beresfield, Tarro, Tomago, and Heatherbrae.

Drivers should allow for extra travel time and stay alert to changing traffic conditions. For updates, visit Live Traffic NSW, use the app, or call 132 701.