newy.com.au – Early works on the $381 million Muswellbrook Bypass are advancing, with a refined design finalised and major construction expected to begin in 2027.
The New England Highway upgrade is jointly funded by the federal and NSW governments, which are contributing $304.8 million and $76.2 million respectively.
About 20,000 vehicles travel through central Muswellbrook each day. The bypass is expected to divert about 2500 heavy vehicles a day from the town centre, reducing interactions between trucks, local traffic, pedestrians and cyclists.
Once completed, it will provide a free-flowing alternative route with a speed limit of 100km/h, aimed at reducing congestion and improving travel time reliability for freight operators and other motorists.
The refined design includes a safer intersection at Milpera Drive, improved northern and southern connections, better access to local roads and a dedicated U-turn facility on the New England Highway north of the project. It is also intended to reduce flooding impacts, improve traffic movements and minimise the need to acquire property.
Utility relocation is under way, while dynamic compaction has begun on a section of the route crossing a backfilled open-cut mine. Completing that work before the main construction contract is intended to reduce the risk of delays.
An Aboriginal cultural heritage salvage program, undertaken in consultation with the local Aboriginal community, was completed in late 2025. Shortlisted applicants have also progressed to the request-for-tender stage for major construction.
Acting federal Infrastructure Minister Kristy McBain said the project would deliver quicker and safer trips through the Upper Hunter.
“With early works well underway and a refined design finalised, we are powering forward to deliver this $304.8 million Australian Government investment, ensuring trips across the Upper Hunter will be quicker and safer, sooner,” she said.
The project is expected to support about 720 jobs during construction.
Federal Hunter MP Dan Repacholi said residents could now see progress on the long-planned bypass.
“We are getting closer to having heavy traffic flowing away from the town centre, which will make our local streets safer and quieter, and give locals their community back,” he said.
Wybong Road and Bengalla Link Road have also been officially recategorised as state roads because of their importance to the regional freight network. The change transfers responsibility for their ongoing maintenance from Muswellbrook Shire Council to the NSW Government.
