Weekend closures on Lookout Road and McCaffrey Drive for bypass asphalt works

newy.com.au – Overnight road closures and detours will affect Lookout Road and McCaffrey Drive at New Lambton Heights from Friday 13 February 2026 as Transport for NSW carries out final asphalt works for the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.

Transport for NSW said the weekend works on the Rankin Park to Jesmond section of the bypass would require detours of up to five kilometres and could add up to 15 minutes to some trips, depending on traffic.

Crews will lay the final wearing course of asphalt and complete line marking on sections of Lookout Road, with work planned between 7pm and 5am from Friday 13 February to Monday 16 February, weather permitting.

During the work, the northbound lanes of Lookout Road, including the northbound off ramp and the bridge at the McCaffrey Drive intersection, will be closed. Access on Lookout Road will be maintained by diverting traffic onto the new Newcastle Inner City Bypass southbound on ramp, managed with a single-lane contraflow.

McCaffrey Drive will be closed in both directions between Lookout Road and Marshall Street while the work is under way. Transport for NSW said detours would be in place and encouraged drivers to consider alternative routes via Lake Road, Main Road, Macquarie Road and Hillsborough Road where suitable.

A new shared user path on the northern edge of McCaffrey Drive will be opened to maintain pedestrian and cyclist access throughout the work.

Bus passengers will also see changes during the McCaffrey Drive closure, with stops west of Marshall Street closed and the bus stop opposite Elbrook Drive relocated to the west of the Elbrook Drive intersection.

Traffic control, reduced speed limits and signage will be in place, with motorists urged to drive to conditions and follow directions from traffic controllers.

Heavy vehicles with ground contact or an overall width wider than three metres have been advised to contact the project team at least one day ahead of movement on 1800 818 433, while freight operators have been told the project operates on UHF channel 52 at the Southern Interchange.

Transport for NSW said that on the Monday morning after the work is finished, the Lookout Road and McCaffrey Drive intersection would be switched to its final arrangement and temporary reduced speed limits removed, returning the speed limit to 60km/h.