Tarro M1 ramp to open after three nights of John Renshaw Drive detours

newy.com.au – A new northbound on-ramp to the M1 extension will open at Tarro on Friday, 25 September, with Newcastle-bound drivers facing three nights of detours beforehand as interchange work continues.

The ramp will provide access from both John Renshaw Drive and the New England Highway, Transport for NSW said. The motorway extension to Raymond Terrace has already opened, but construction is continuing on connecting roads and interchanges under the Black Hill to Tomago project.

Eastbound traffic on John Renshaw Drive will be diverted on the nights of Monday, 21 September, Tuesday, 22 September, and Thursday, 24 September, while crews work on the John Renshaw Drive flyover and Tarro interchange.

Drivers heading towards Newcastle will have two detour options. One will take traffic onto the westbound New England Highway towards Weakleys Drive, then north along Weakleys Drive to make a U-turn before returning towards Newcastle on the highway’s eastbound lanes. The alternative will run via Weakleys Drive through Beresfield, where drivers can turn right onto the eastbound New England Highway.

Broader overnight restrictions are scheduled between 7pm and 5am on Monday to Friday nights, 21 to 25 September. They will affect the M1 Pacific Motorway at Beresfield and Black Hill, John Renshaw Drive at Beresfield, the New England Highway at Tarro and the Pacific Highway at Tomago and Heatherbrae.

The work will involve lane closures, traffic being directed onto the opposite side of the road, intermittent stoppages and temporary 40km/h speed limits. Transport for NSW has advised motorists to allow extra travel time and follow signs and traffic controllers.

Daytime restrictions also remain in place from 7am to 5pm until Sunday, 20 September, on Lenaghans Drive at Black Hill, Old Punt Road near the Pacific Highway at Tomago and the eastbound New England Highway at Tarro.

Construction, including landscaping and finishing work, will continue across the project during weekday and Saturday daytime shifts, as well as on weeknights.

Operators of oversize or overmass vehicles with a ground-contact width greater than 3.2 metres or an overall width greater than 4.5 metres are advised to contact the project team on 1800 094 895 at least a day before travelling. Transport for NSW warned that failing to make contact could result in significant delays.

Vehicles travelling under a permit must remain on their approved route unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

Traffic updates are available through Live Traffic NSW. App users can search for “Black Hill or Tomago”, select the incident and follow it for updates.