After what seemed an eternity to frustrated locals, work has finally started on the long-awaited upgrade of Testers Hollow.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Australian and NSW Governments are jointly funding this $17 million project to reduce the impact of flooding and improve connectivity on Cessnock Road.
The road has a decades-long history of flooding, and has become a busy connection to the Hunter Expressway, surrounded on each side by the booming residential areas of Gillieston Heights and Cliftleigh.
A community petition calling for Testers Hollow to be raised was started in 2015, when it was flooded and closed for 16 days following the April superstorm.
Gillieston Heights was completely isolated for about a week during this time, as Cessnock Road was also flooded at the Maitland end.
The petition gained traction in January 2016 when Testers Hollow was again flooded for several days, and the Cessnock Advertiser and Maitland Mercury joined forces to help promote the campaign to raise the road.
With a federal election that year, Labor promised $10 million for the project, and the Liberals upped the ante promising a further $5 million - a promise that has now been delivered, with the state government chipping in $2 million.
Cliftleigh resident Sonia Warby - who created the community petition in 2015 - said it is great to see the upgrade is finally getting underway.
"This has been long awaited and no, it's not double lanes or as high as we'd like, however it will offer some relief when Testers Hollow floods, even if it means the road is closed for a shorter timeframe," she said.
"I have heard people say they have been waiting over 50 years and will probably not be around to see the completion of this upgrade, my grandfather who lived at Testers Hollow since 1954 being one of them.
"However I have to believe this is as good as the government will offer and it's more than previous campaigners have achieved."
Transport for NSW recently awarded the contract to Daracon to build the new, two-lane road that will be 1.5-metres higher than the existing road, and the project is expected to be complete by early 2023.
After site preparation was conducted the week starting October 19, work got underway on Wednesday this week.
Key activities planned for the next three months include establishing environmental controls, relocating electrical services and installation of safety barriers and signage, and transporting fill material to the site to build the new road.
Work will take place from 7am and 6pm weekdays, and 8am to 1pm Saturdays, with some night and weekend work to ensure the safety of workers and road users, and reduce impacts to motorists during peak hours.
A 40km/h speed limit will be in place during work hours and may affect travel times, with motorists advised to allow up to five minutes extra travel time during this work.
Cyclists are encouraged to take a different route during construction due to the narrow road shoulders.
For more information about cycle routes, speed limits and more, visit the project website at rms.nsw.gov.au.
READ MORE
- Early 2023 completion date for Testers Hollow upgrade
- Testers Hollow upgrade drawing closer with building contract awarded
- RMS starts ground work on Testers Hollow improvements
- Long road to Testers solution
- Liberals pledge $15m for Testers Hollow
- RAISE THE ROAD: Time to fix this disaster
- Testers Hollow: It's time to raise the road