The $700 million Singleton Bypass has passed the one-year mark of major construction, progressing a once-in-a-generation upgrade that will remove one of the Hunter’s longest-standing bottlenecks.
The new eight-kilometre bypass is on track to open to traffic in late 2026, weather permitting, and has been funded with a $560 million investment from the Albanese Labor Government and $140 million investment from the Minns Labor Government.
Newly released aerial vision highlights the vast scale of the bypass and the relentless work of the crews transforming the Hunter.
Over the past 12 months, more than 1300 workers have been active across the entire alignment, with major achievements including:
· All six bridges under construction, including the region-shaping 1.6km Hunter Floodplain bridge now 80% complete
· More than 500,000m³ of earthworks placed (the equivalent of 200 Olympic swimming pools)
· Council’s new water pump station nearing completion
· Peak work underway on drainage, utilities relocation, pavement, noise walls, and safety screens
Once complete, the bypass will remove around 15,000 vehicles a day from Singleton’s CBD, bypass five sets of traffic lights, cut congestion, reduce freight delays and deliver safer, faster and more reliable journeys for the 26,000 motorists who travel on this section of the New England Highway each day.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King:
“This project has been talked about for generations, but it’s the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments delivering it.
“The Singleton Bypass will take thousands of vehicles off Singleton’s main road, improving safety, and slashing travel times across the region.
“The Albanese Government is proud to be investing $560 million to get it built and to see real progress on the ground.”
NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:
“Locals have long been asking for a solution to congestion, heavy traffic and safety concerns and the Albanese and Minns Labor Government is delivering.
“The Singleton bypass will transform how people move around the Hunter, making travel safer, faster and more efficient for the thousands of people who live in, visit and travel through our region.
“We are seeing real progress on the ground. No one backs our regional communities like a Labor Government.”
NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:
“Seeing the progress on the Singleton Bypass shows exactly what happens when governments genuinely invest in regional communities. This bypass is finally becoming a reality after decades of traffic, frustration and safety concerns from locals.
“Two new bridges are already providing an alternate route for heavy vehicles working on the project, minimising the impact of construction on the local road network.so the benefits are being felt even before opening day.
“This is a game-changing investment in the Hunter – safer roads, stronger freight links and a smoother drive for everyone who calls Singleton and the Hunter home.”
Federal Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi:
“This bypass is delivering local jobs, local investment and a long-overdue fix for congestion that has plagued Singleton for years.
“With more than 1,300 jobs supported during construction, the project is already boosting our economy, and the benefits will keep coming when the new bypass opens.
“Thank you to Transport for NSW and the entire construction workforce for the incredible progress so far.”
NSW Labor spokesperson for Upper Hunter, Emily Suvval:
“This is exactly the kind of infrastructure Hunter communities have been crying out for: practical, local and life-changing.
“Removing one of the region’s worst choke points will make it easier to get to work, get kids to school and get freight where it needs to go. It’s a huge win for the Upper Hunter.”
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