Roads and Maritime Services has started field investigations, environmental assessment and design work with planning expected to be completed by mid-2019.

The NSW and Australian governments are providing a $17 million upgrade of Testers Hollow to reduce flooding and improve access to local communities.

A spokesperson for the RMS said field investigations, including geotechnical investigations, have started and flood modelling is under way for this project.

Spokesperson for the Raise Testers Hollow residents group, Sonia Warby, said the news is great. Its really good to finally see some progress, while small, it shows that we have been heard and we have achieved an outcome, Ms Warby said. The significance of that outcome is unknown, however this is the first step forward.

Just weeks ago the RMS pledged to upgrade Testers Hollow to provide at least one in 20 year flood immunity. RMS Hunter Region director Anna Zycki confirmed that work would soon begin and the proposed upgrade standard, which is in line with the Australian Design Rules for new roads. Its not the gold standard some frustrated residents had hoped for, but it will be a vast improvement on the roads current status of one in two year flood immunity.

The stretch of road has flooded four times in the last 11 years and has been an ongoing source of community outrage.

A flyer delivered to residents last week said investigations started on July 16 and would continue through to August 23. The work will involve some temporary traffic changes including lane closures and may result in some short delays for motorists.