newy.com.au – The M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace is expected to open northbound in the early hours of Thursday, September 10, and southbound early on Friday, September 11, Transport for NSW says.
Most movements at its Black Hill, Tarro, Tomago and Raymond Terrace interchanges will be available, but motorists will not initially be able to enter the northbound M1 at Tarro from John Renshaw Drive or the New England Highway.
Transport for NSW said those entry ramps would open in the coming weeks. Until then, motorists heading north towards Taree and the Mid North Coast can join the motorway at the Tomago interchange.
Drivers can familiarise themselves with the new layout through an interactive portal featuring animation videos, interchange maps and route information at https://caportal.com.au/tfnsw/m1rt/plan-your-drive.
Short traffic stoppages are expected on surrounding roads and motorway approaches during final opening preparations. Construction, including landscaping and finishing work, will continue after the motorway opens.
Remaining work will require lane closures, temporary two-way traffic arrangements, intermittent stoppages and temporary speed reductions to 40km/h.
Overnight traffic changes are scheduled between 7pm and 5am through to Friday night, September 11. They will affect the M1 at Beresfield and Black Hill, John Renshaw Drive at Beresfield, the New England Highway at Tarro, and the Pacific Highway at Tomago and Heatherbrae.
Daytime changes are scheduled between 7am and 5pm through to Friday, September 11, on Lenaghans Drive at Black Hill, Old Punt Road at Tomago and the New England Highway at Tarro.
Motorists should allow extra travel time and follow signs and directions from traffic controllers.
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 call the project team on 1800 094 895 at least one day before travelling. Transport for NSW warned that failing to make contact could result in significant delays.
Vehicles travelling under a permit must stay on their approved route unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
Current information about the work is available at https://www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/219785 or through the Live Traffic NSW app. Drivers can receive phone updates by searching for “Black Hill” or “Tomago” in the app, selecting the incident and choosing “Follow”.
Information about the combined effects of roadworks across the Newcastle area is available at https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/newcastle-and-surrounds-traffic-impacts.
