The M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace has reached a significant milestone with the successful lifting of the first girders at the northern interchange on the Heatherbrae bypass.
The overbridge at the northern interchange will serve as the main direct access off the M1 Pacific Motorway, to the Pacific Highway and the townships of Heatherbrae and Raymond Terrace.
When completed, the interchange will provide southbound motorists the option to continue into Heatherbrae using the local road network or take the new motorway across Windeyers Creek bypassing Heatherbrae.
The work to build the overbridge includes geotechnical investigations, relocation of utilities, drainage, earthworks, bridge substructure and superstructure, and pavement works.
The team has already lifted 62 of the 827 bridge girders into place across the project, with more than 70 per cent of the Heatherbrae bypass workforce sourced from the Hunter region, including 38 apprentices and 12 trainees.
The extension is expected to be open to traffic in mid-2028.
"This is an exciting step forward for the M1 Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace project," the federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said.
"Once complete, this project, together with the Coffs Harbour bypass, will provide the remaining major upgrades to complete a free-flowing route between Sydney and Brisbane with no traffic lights.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison the milestone was great news for the 48,000 motorists who travelled on the notorious bottleneck on the Pacific Highway at Hexham.
"Combined with the Hexham Straight Widening project, this will significantly improve journeys for local motorists, visitors and the freight industry.
"The Australian and NSW governments are delivering legacy infrastructure which will cater to the needs of our great state in the decades ahead."
