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newy.com.au – Final asphalt work on Newcastle Road and bypass entry ramps at Jesmond will bring overnight closures and possible delays of up to 15 minutes from Wednesday 21 October 2026.
The work is part of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass’s Rankin Park to Jesmond project. Transport for NSW has scheduled up to nine nights of work from 7pm to 5am, Sunday to Thursday, weather permitting.
The first stage, 21 to 22 October, will see the final wearing course of asphalt placed on the northbound bypass entry ramps. This is expected to take two to three nights. The ramps serving both directions of Newcastle Road will close, and lane closures will apply on Newcastle Road in both directions.
During the ramp closures, light vehicles will be diverted via Blue Gum Road and University Drive. Heavy vehicles will use Lambton Road, Edith Street, Lorna Street, Queen Street and University Drive, or the Wallsend roundabout at Thomas Street.
Once the ramp work is complete, three further stages are planned between 25 and 29 October. A one night stage on Newcastle Road’s eastbound lanes at Blue Gum Road will close access to and from Blue Gum Road. Newcastle Road will also have lane closures in both directions.
Another one night stage will close Newcastle Road’s eastbound lanes between Blue Gum Road and the signalised bypass intersection, along with right turns at that intersection. Eastbound traffic will be diverted via the bypass and the University Drive roundabout.
Work on the westbound lanes is expected to take up to two nights. Lane closures will apply in both directions, and right turns to and from the bypass will be closed.
During those eastbound and westbound surfacing stages, light vehicles using the affected bypass connections will be diverted via Blue Gum Road and University Drive. Heavy vehicles travelling westbound to join the bypass will need to make a U-turn at the Wallsend roundabout.
Heavy vehicles heading south on the bypass and wanting to turn right onto Newcastle Road will be diverted via University Drive, Queen Street, Lorna Street, Edith Street and Lambton Road during both stages.
The final stage is scheduled for the nights of 1 and 2 November on the westbound side of the Blue Gum Road intersection. Newcastle Road will have lane closures in both directions. Its intersections with Chalmers Road and Illoura Street will close, as will right turns at the Newcastle Road and Blue Gum Road intersection.
Light vehicles and buses will use Mordue Parade and Drury Street for access to and from Blue Gum Road during both stages at that intersection. During the final stage, traffic between Newcastle Road and Chalmers Road or Illoura Street will be diverted via Victory Parade.
All bus stops, pedestrian connections and cycle paths will remain open. Passengers can check the Transport for NSW Trip Planner for the latest service information.
Transport for NSW urged drivers to allow extra time, drive to the conditions and follow signs and traffic controllers. It encouraged motorists to avoid the area where possible, suggesting routes via the Pacific Highway (Maitland Road), Industrial Drive, Lake Road, Bridges Street and Turton Road where suitable.
Oversize and overmass vehicle operators are also being urged to avoid the area. Operators planning a movement through the work zone must contact the project team on 1800 818 433 at least two days ahead. The project operates on UHF channel 57 at Jesmond.
Vehicles travelling under a permit must stay on their approved route unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
For more information, motorists can check the Live Traffic NSW incident page or use the Live Traffic NSW app. To receive phone updates, search for “Jesmond” in the app, select the incident and choose “Follow”.
| When and where | Closures and restrictions | Detours |
|---|---|---|
|
Week one: Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October
Section 1: Northbound bypass on-ramps |
Lane closures on Newcastle Road in both directions.
Both on-ramps from Newcastle Road to the northbound bypass closed. This stage is expected to take two to three nights. |
Light vehicles: Blue Gum Road and University Drive.
Heavy vehicles: Lambton Road, Edith Street, Lorna Street, Queen Street and University Drive, or via the Wallsend roundabout at Thomas Street. |
|
Week two: Sunday 25 to Thursday 29 October
Section 2: Newcastle Road eastbound at Blue Gum Road Expected duration: one night |
Lane closures on Newcastle Road in both directions.
Access to and from Blue Gum Road at Newcastle Road closed. |
Light vehicles and buses: Mordue Parade and Drury Street. |
|
Week two: Sunday 25 to Thursday 29 October
Section 3: Newcastle Road eastbound towards the bypass intersection Expected duration: one night |
Newcastle Road eastbound closed between Blue Gum Road and the signalised bypass intersection.
Right turns at the signalised intersection also closed. |
Eastbound traffic on Newcastle Road: Via the bypass and University Drive roundabout.
Light vehicles using the westbound Newcastle Road connections to and from the bypass: Blue Gum Road and University Drive. Heavy vehicles travelling westbound to join the bypass: U-turn at the Wallsend roundabout. Heavy vehicles travelling southbound on the bypass wanting to turn right onto Newcastle Road: University Drive, Queen Street, Lorna Street, Edith Street and Lambton Road. |
|
Week two: Sunday 25 to Thursday 29 October
Section 4: Newcastle Road westbound Expected duration: up to two nights |
Lane closures on Newcastle Road in both directions.
Right turns to and from the bypass closed at the signalised intersection of Newcastle Road and the southbound off-ramp. |
Light vehicles: Blue Gum Road and University Drive.
Heavy vehicles travelling westbound to join the bypass: U-turn at the Wallsend roundabout. Heavy vehicles travelling southbound on the bypass wanting to turn right onto Newcastle Road: University Drive, Queen Street, Lorna Street, Edith Street and Lambton Road. |
|
Week three: Sunday 1 and Monday 2 November
Section 5: Newcastle Road westbound at Blue Gum Road Expected duration: up to two nights |
Lane closures on Newcastle Road in both directions.
Chalmers Road and Illoura Street intersections with Newcastle Road closed. Right turns at the Newcastle Road and Blue Gum Road intersection closed. |
Light vehicles and buses accessing Blue Gum Road: Mordue Parade and Drury Street.
Traffic between Newcastle Road and Chalmers Road or Illoura Street: Victory Parade. |
Timing: All work is weather permitting. Week-two stages will follow completion of section one. Exact nights for each stage have not been specified. Follow on-road signs and traffic controllers.
Alternative routes: Where suitable, motorists are encouraged to avoid the area by using Pacific Highway, Industrial Drive, Lake Road, Bridges Street and Turton Road.
Buses, pedestrians and cyclists: All bus stops, pedestrian connections and cycle paths will remain open. Some bus routes will be diverted as listed above. Check the Transport for NSW Trip Planner before travelling.
Oversize and overmass vehicles: Operators are encouraged to avoid the area and must contact the project team on 1800 818 433 at least two days before travelling through the work area. The project uses UHF channel 57 at Jesmond. Vehicles travelling under a permit must remain on their approved route unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
Latest updates: Check Live Traffic NSW. To receive alerts, search for “Jesmond” in the Live Traffic NSW app, select the incident and tap “Follow”.
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