THERE has been more movement on the missing link to the state’s highway at Hexham with the announcement by the Federal Government that the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace is a step closer to reality, with the shortlist of companies to be invited to tender for construction announced last week.

At the same time, registrations of interest are now being called from pre-qualified contractors to widen Hexham Straight as part of the M1 extension.

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The fifteen kilometre M1 extension includes a four-lane divided motorway with two lanes in each direction and new interchanges at Black Hill, Tarro, Tomago and Raymond Terrace.

It will improve the connection between Newcastle and the New England Highway, M1 Motorway and the Pacific Highway, enhancing safety and traffic flow for the 50,000 motorists who travel this route every day.

The project will also deliver an important economic boost to the Hunter region, supporting around 2,700 jobs during construction and creating opportunities for local businesses.

The Australian ($1.68 billion) and NSW ($420 million) governments have committed $2.1 billion towards the extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway to Raymond Terrace and the Hexham Straight widening.

The M1 extension is being built under two collaborative design and construction contracts.

For the southern, ten-kilometre Black Hill to Tomago section, CPB Contractors, Acciona Infrastructure Australia, and the John Holland/ Gamuda (Australia) Branch Joint Venture have been selected to take part in the tender process.

For the northern, five-kilometre Heatherbrae Bypass section, Seymour Whyte Constructions and BMD Constructions have been selected to take part in the tender process.

Liberal Candidate for Paterson Brooke Vitnell told News Of The Area, “I welcome yet another day of progress on delivery of the M1 extension to Raymond Terrace under the Liberal National Federal Government.

“Once complete, this will get workers to their jobs quicker, residents to and from home to their families sooner and ensure our community will travel safer.

“Hunter residents would agree that not enough has been done at a local level over the last six years to fight for our share of infrastructure funding.

“So, I make no apologies for being a passionate and tireless advocate for getting us the infrastructure we need to keep up with our growing population.

“It’s my number one priority.”

We need more investment into common sense infrastructure like this to keep our region a great place to live and raise a family and to ensure we can keep creating and getting jobs,” she said.

Senator for New South Wales Perin Davey said projects that improve transport and freight efficiencies are good for our regions.

“Our regional industries are export industries and that means we rely on safe, efficient and timely freight journeys to get our products to market.

“This project will deliver on that goal,” Senator Davey said.

“To have both state and federal governments working together means we can get these projects delivered without delay and keep Australia moving forward.”

Senator for New South Wales Hollie Hughes said the project would be a real shot in the arm for the freight industry and workers.

“We see a lot of freight making the journey up the coast from Sydney, including into Queensland, and this will help make those trips more efficient, saving truckies time and businesses money,” Senator Hughes said.

“Ensuring local goods can get out to national and international markets is critical for regional businesses and the economy, which is why we are investing in critical road connections such as this.”

The $2.1 billion project is being jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $1.68 billion and the NSW Government committing $420 million.

This funding will also enable the delivery of the Hexham Straight Widening project, which is currently going through planning approval processes.

The Hexham Straight Review of Environmental Factors and Environmental Impact Statement were recently displayed for community comment.

By Marian SAMPSON