UK-based Hyder Consulting has secured a detailed design contract for the M1 Pacific Motorway upgrade between Kariong and Somersby in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
The Kariong to Somersby project is one of four projects in the A$400m ($291m) M1 Productivity Package.
The Australian and NSW Governments are providing A$195.8m ($142m) and A$196.2m ($143m), respectively for the M1 Productivity Package.
“The upgrades would benefit residents throughout the Hunter, as well as the Central Coast.”
The project will help reduce travel times between Newcastle and Sydney, improve road freight efficiency, and provide for the expected growth of commuter and freight traffic.
The upgrade, which is expected to be completed in 2019, will provide more reliable travel times and safer journeys for all road users along the motorway.
As part of this project, Roads and Maritime Services will continue to work with the community throughout the detailed design process.
The scope of work under the project will see widening of an 8km section of the M1 Pacific Motorway between the Somersby and Kariong interchanges from four to six lanes.
The project will include upgrading three of the four ramps at the Kariong interchange and adding an extra lane in each direction on the M1.
NSW parliamentary secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast Scot MacDonald said: “The upgrades would benefit residents throughout the Hunter, as well as the Central Coast.
“The upgrade will cater for predicted increases in traffic and the growing freight task in the Central Coast, Hunter and North Coast regions.”