HEXHAM: Overnight contraflow and 40km/h limits planned for Maitland Road from Monday

newy.com.au – Motorists on Maitland Road at Hexham will face changed traffic conditions overnight from Monday 19 January as Transport for NSW continues construction on the Hexham Straight Widening project.

In a traffic alert issued Friday 16 January, Transport for NSW said work would run between 7pm and 5am to minimise disruption, with a temporary 40km/h speed limit and up to 15 minutes extra travel time expected.

A contraflow arrangement will operate on the southbound lanes from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass to Sparke Street on Monday 19 January and Tuesday 20 January, with traffic reduced to 40km/h through the work area.

On Wednesday 21 January, traffic will switch to a contraflow on the northbound lanes from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass to Shamrock Street, again with a 40km/h limit in place.

Transport for NSW said an extra northbound lane would be added between Old Maitland Road and Sparke Street from Wednesday 21 January, weather permitting, increasing capacity from two lanes to three.

Further northbound contraflow conditions will be in place from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass to Sparke Street on Thursday 22 January, with the 40km/h restriction continuing during the night works.

From Monday 19 January to Thursday 22 January, the right-hand turn lane into the Newcastle Inner City Bypass will be temporarily restricted, with southbound drivers instructed to detour 800m south via Sandgate Road.

A temporary 60km/h speed limit will remain in place through the work zone during ongoing day work, with a reduction to 40km/h during night works. Transport for NSW said major work would continue from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, with out-of-hours activity from 7pm to 7am Sunday to Thursday and on Saturday between 8am and 1pm.

Operators of over-size, over-mass (OSOM) movements with a ground contact wider than 3.4m or an overall width wider than 4.5m have been advised to contact the project team at least one day ahead of travel on 1800 515 141, with delays expected if they do not. The project operates on UHF channel 45, and Transport for NSW noted vehicles travelling under a permit must not leave the approved route unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

Motorists have been advised to follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers, consider alternative routes where possible and check Live Traffic NSW for updates, including via the Live Traffic NSW app or by calling 132 701.