Have your say on design and landscape plans for M1 extension to Raymond Terrace Port POPUP - DAupdate Port Stephens Port Stephens by News Of The Area - Modern Media - September 14, 2023 Northern contract section – Heatherbrae bypass: Aerial view from north. COMMUNITY members are invited to provide feedback on the design and landscape plans for the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace. The Australian and NSW governments are investing $2.1 billion to deliver the M1 Motorway to Raymond Terrace and Hexham Straight widening projects. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au “On completion, the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace will save motorists up to nine minutes of travel time during peak periods. Motorists will be able to bypass up to five sets of traffic lights and reduce traffic demand on existing key routes,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said. “As the start of major work for M1 extension edges closer, Transport for NSW is calling on community members to share their thoughts on the design and landscaping plans for the project. “The draft plans are now on public exhibition, giving locals an opportunity to provide feedback on a range of elements such as retaining walls, bridges, lighting, signs, paving types and artwork. “Another key initiative for the design is an expression of Country and the relationship to the Hunter River through the integration of artwork provided on the safety screens, and the entry to the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, along with landscape elements at the interchanges and signposting of Country. The planned 15-kilometre extension includes a four-lane divided motorway with two lanes in each direction; new interchanges at Black Hill, Tarro, Tomago and Raymond Terrace; and a 2.6-kilometre viaduct over the Hunter River and floodplain, the Main North Rail Line, and the New England Highway. The spokesperson said the project will provide positive outcomes for the community during construction and on completion. “The M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace will transform the way people travel in and around the Hunter region and we want the community to be a part of the process,” the spokesperson said. “The project will create and support around 2700 jobs during the estimated five years of construction. “Now as we come down to the exciting part, we want to hear from the community. “People can view the draft design and landscape plans and provide their feedback either online or by attending one of our community information sessions.” The project team will also host a series of in-person and online consultation and information sessions to provide an overview of the plan and answer any questions. Webinars, using the ‘Teams’ platform, will be held on Friday 15 September from 12pm to 1pm and Thursday 21 September from 6pm to 7pm. There will also be community events on Thursday 14 September from 10am to 1pm at Beresfield Community Hall and Wednesday 20 September from 4pm to 7pm at Raymond Terrace Senior Citizens Hall. The extension is expected to be open to traffic in 2028. The Australian and NSW governments are jointly funding the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace on an 80:20 basis. More information about the design and landscape plans is available at: http://www.caportal.com.au/tfnsw/m1rt Northern contract section – Heatherbrae bypass: Aerial view from south.
