The Federal Government is investing a further $80 million to ensure delivery of one of the Hunter's biggest ever infrastructure projects, the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace.
This additional commitment brings the Federal Government's investment in the project to $1.68 billion and reinforces our commitment to delivering the infrastructure the Hunter region needs.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the extension will get people home sooner and safer and keep freight moving.
"Our Government is committed to delivering this transformational project, which will bust congestion to provide more reliable travel times for commuters," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"It's going to be a real game-changer for motorists, delivering a 15-kilometre extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway with two lanes in each direction from Black Hill to Raymond Terrace.
"This will ease congestion for more than 25,000 vehicles a day travelling between Newcastle and Maitland, keeping commuters moving and giving them time back in their day.
"The project will also deliver an important economic boost to the Hunter region, supporting around 2,700 jobs during construction and creating opportunities for local businesses."
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said the M1 upgrade was part of the state's record $100 billion infrastructure pipeline.
"This project will support growth right across the Hunter and Newcastle regions bringing a generational shift in productivity, built on a strong, integrated transport network," Mr Perrottet said.
"It's a government priority and will benefit every family in the region by helping get workers to and from work more safely, spending less time in traffic and more time with each other."
New South Wales Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the NSW Government will continue to invest in priority projects across the state that will deliver faster and safer journeys while supporting regional employment.
"By backing major infrastructure projects such as this, we are backing job creation, business growth and local employment opportunities to ensure regional NSW remains better connected," Mr Toole said.
"This project will improve traffic flow and increase connectivity, while ensuring better access to the local road network, and deliver the final 'missing link' in the chain for smoother journeys between the Victorian and Queensland borders."
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the project would be instrumental as part of broader network upgrades across the state.
"We are getting on with the job of delivering this project, which will build on other investments we've made to transform journeys in the region, such as the recently finished $15 billion Pacific Highway upgrade, which duplicated the Pacific Highway from Hexham to the Queensland border," Mr Farraway said.
"We will continue to work closely with our federal counterparts to ensure we are delivering the infrastructure our state needs, especially as our supply chains continue to adapt to the impacts of COVID-19."
Senator for New South Wales Perin Davey said projects that improve transport and freight efficiencies are good for our regions.
"Our regional industries are export industries and that means we rely on safe, efficient and timely freight journeys to get our products to market. This project will deliver on that goal," Senator Davey said.
"To have both state and federal governments working together means we can get these projects delivered without delay and keep Australia moving forward."
Senator for New South Wales Hollie Hughes said the project would be a real shot in the arm for the freight industry and workers.
"We see a lot of freight making the journey up the coast from Sydney, including into Queensland, and this will help make those trips more efficient, saving truckies time and businesses money," Senator Hughes said.
"Ensuring local goods can get out to national and international markets is critical for regional businesses and the economy, which is why we are investing in critical road connections such as this."
The $2.1 billion project is being jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $1.68 billion and the NSW Government committing $420 million.
This funding will also enable the delivery of the Hexham Straight Widening project, which is currently going through planning approval processes. The Hexham Straight Review of Environmental Factors and Environmental Impact Statement were recently displayed for community comment.
