The funding will be used to upgrade and widen Frame Drive into an 11-metre carriageway from the intersection of Gingers Lane through to Orange Street.

This work will complement the new two-lane concrete bridge that opened in February, replacing the single-lane bridge that was closed permanently after the April 2015 superstorm.

Council’s director of works and infrastructure Justin Fitzpatrick-Barr said the exact extent of the upgrade will become clear once the final design is complete.

Mr Fitzpatrick-Barr said with the latest grant, together with the balance of the Federal Bridge Renewal program funding, council hopes to be in a position to address all of the safety matters along the route and upgrade as much of the interconnecting road between Hart Road and Cessnock Road) as possible.

“We will continue to work with RMS in an effort to address other issues at the Hart Road Interchange of Hunter Expressway, along with the concern at the Orange Street/Cessnock Road intersection,” he said.

Frame Drive became a popular shortcut to the Hunter Expressway after the highway opened in March 2014.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said the latest work forms part of a larger plan to create a strong transport route that will eventually connect Cessnock directly to the expressway.

“The Fixing Country Roads program involves the NSW Government working with local councils to identify important infrastructure upgrades needed on council-owned and managed roads to improve safety and freight productivity,” Mr MacDonald said.

“The new bridge and road upgrade will help regional communities deliver better connections to state-owned roads and highways, allowing goods to be transported faster and more efficiently.

“We are committed to providing high quality service to our regional customers and are getting on with the job of providing improvements and upgrades across our freight transport networks.”

The first two rounds of the Fixing Country Roads program has so far provided more than $90 million in funding for 138 projects across regional NSW.

Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent thanked the NSW Government for giving it the tick of approval to allow for the vital upgrades, following the replacement of Frame Drive bridge.

“The opening of the new concrete bridge earlier in the year was absolutely fantastic, however with it came a number of other safety issues surrounding access roads,” Cr Pynsent said.

“We anticipated the return of traffic on Frame Drive Bridge would have a profound impact, as it serves as a major connector road to and from the Hunter Expressway.”

Cessnock City Council appealed to the NSW Government back in February calling for upgrades to the access roads.

Cr Pynsent said he is very pleased the council’s calls have been heard, as the safety of all road users is paramount.

“I share the communities concern about the traffic conditions on these particular roads and we now have the opportunity to address these,” he said.