NSW Government unveils $275 million upgrade plan for Nelson Bay Road

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The New South Wales Government has unveiled an improved new design for the Nelson Bay Road upgrade, offering new travel options for Port Stephens residents and freight operators.

Nelson Bay Road is a major corridor on the NSW east coast, connecting Newcastle, Newcastle Airport, Fern Bay and Nelson Bay. This 43-kilometre route carries more than 25,000 vehicles per day on average, with higher volumes during holiday peak periods.

The new design incorporates feedback from the Port Stephens community, responding to the priorities and concerns raised by locals, while improving access to Newcastle Airport and optimising connections with the upgraded M1 Motorway. Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said this revised plan for the Nelson Bay Road upgrade would deliver priority improvements sooner, with a focus on long-term duplication across the entire corridor.

Aitchison said the previous Liberal-Nationals Government's proposal was not feasible, as it would have meant cutting through and dividing large areas of agricultural and sensitive land. The new plan improves connectivity with Newcastle Airport, strengthens links with the upgraded M1 Motorway, and adopts a staged approach to meet the community's current needs while planning for future growth.

The three-stage plan includes a new four-lane road between Salt Ash and Bobs Farm, with the project scope expanded to include staged duplication works between Fern Bay and Williamtown. The plan also delivers immediate safety upgrades between Williamtown and Salt Ash, with safety improvement works scheduled to commence in 2027.

The new design reflects changing demands across the broader road network. The M1 to Raymond Terrace section is expected to ease pressure between Medowie and Richardson Road, while growth around Newcastle Airport is expected to increase travel demand between Fern Bay and Williamtown.

The improved design replaces the previous Liberal-Nationals Government's proposed new road alignment from Bobs Farm to Williamtown. Transport for NSW assessed that proposal as unfeasible due to high engineering, environmental and property complexity, limited accessibility, and cost concerns.

The NSW Government and the Australian Government have committed $275 million towards the staged upgrade, with the new design to be formally submitted for review by the Australian Government.

Stage 1, the Salt Ash to Bobs Farm section, will deliver a new 2.8-kilometre four-lane road between Salt Ash and Bobs Farm, improving traffic flow, travel times and safety on one of the corridor's busiest sections. This new road will support traffic heading to Port Stephens via Richardson Road. With the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension nearing completion, Richardson Road is expected to become a key route to Sydney and the M1, with traffic volumes set to grow.

Stage 2, the Fern Bay to Williamtown section, will commence planning and staged delivery of duplication works along the 8-kilometre stretch of Nelson Bay Road between Fern Bay and Williamtown, increasing capacity to support growth around Newcastle Airport and between Port Stephens, Fern Bay and Newcastle.

Stage 3, the Williamtown to Salt Ash section, will deliver short-term safety upgrades while continuing to plan for future duplication works. This section has the lowest traffic volumes of the three sections.

Some works will commence in 2027 ahead of Stage 1, responding to community feedback, reducing crash risk and improving access conditions.