Overnight detours and lane closures for Newcastle Inner City Bypass works from Sunday Sunday 7 December 2025

newy.com.au – Overnight lane closures and detours will be in place from Sunday 7 December 2025 on the Newcastle Inner City Bypass, Newcastle Road at Jesmond and Lookout Road at New Lambton Heights as work continues on the Rankin Park to Jesmond project.

Transport for NSW says the night works are needed to install new street lighting and traffic signals, complete asphalting and clear vegetation, and is warning motorists to expect delays and follow changed traffic conditions in the area.

From Sunday 7 December, crews will work between 7pm and 5am, Sunday to Thursday, weather permitting. The night shifts will support the broader Newcastle Inner City Bypass upgrade between Rankin Park and Jesmond, which continues to involve major construction activity around the northern interchange.

On Sunday night, northbound lanes on the Newcastle Inner City Bypass will be closed between Newcastle Road and University Drive. Light vehicles will be detoured north via Blue Gum Road and then east along University Drive to rejoin the bypass, while heavy vehicles under notice will be sent north on Lambton Road, then via Edith Street and Lorna Street before heading west along University Drive back to the bypass. Over Size Over Mass (OSOM) vehicles will not be allowed to use the northbound lanes of the bypass or the designated detour routes during this closure.

Single lane closures will remain in place in both directions on Newcastle Road between Drury Street and Robinson Avenue for the next two weeks. From Monday 8 December, weather permitting, single lane closures will also operate for up to two weeks in both directions on Lookout Road between Kookaburra Road and Carnley Avenue.

Motorists are being told to allow up to five minutes of extra travel time, drive to the conditions, and obey all traffic control and signage. Drivers are also encouraged to consider alternate routes where possible while the work is underway.

OSOM operators using Newcastle Road with a ground contact width of more than 4.5 metres are advised to contact the project team at least one day before travelling, on 1800 818 433. The project team has warned that “significant delays will occur if failure to contact”. OSOM operators are also advised the project is using UHF channel 57 at the northern interchange, and that vehicles travelling under permit must remain on their approved route unless they obtain an updated permit from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

Daytime construction activity on the Rankin Park to Jesmond section will continue between 7am and 6pm from Monday to Friday and from 8am to 5pm on Saturdays. Out-of-hours work may also take place between 6pm and 7am from Sunday to Thursday when required.

Transport for NSW thanked drivers for their cooperation, saying it “thanks motorists for their patience during this time” while crews work to deliver the new section of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.

Motorists can find further information and live updates on the closures and detours via the Live Traffic NSW website, the Live Traffic NSW app or by calling 132 701, including by following the Jesmond and New Lambton Heights incidents for alerts sent direct to their phones.