Newcastle Inner
City Bypass
Rankin Park to Jesmond
Have your say – Refined strategic design
May 2016
The NSW Government is providing $280 million to build the fifth section of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass
between Rankin Park and Jesmond. A refined strategic design has been developed, which includes major
improvements for traffic flow at the interchanges and minimises potential environmental and community
impacts. Feedback is invited by 9 June 2016 and will be considered in preparing the concept design and
environmental assessment.
Background
The Newcastle Inner City Bypass is a critical link between the
Pacific Highway at Bennetts Green and the Pacific Highway at
Sandgate.
The bypass provides improved traffic flow across the western
suburbs of Newcastle and connects key regional destinations
including Bennetts Green, Charlestown and Jesmond shopping
centres, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle University and the
Pacific Highway.
The road network surrounding the Rankin Park to Jesmond
project area has high levels of traffic congestion and delays
for motorists at key intersections. Around 40,000 to 60,000
vehicles use the existing route every day.
The Rankin Park to Jesmond section of the Newcastle Inner City
Bypass has a long planning history and has involved extensive
May 2016
community consultation. A strategic design was displayed for
community comment in 2007 with feedback considered to
finalise the route corridor, which was reserved in Newcastle
City Council’s Local Environmental Plan.
Roads and Maritime Services has reviewed the 2007 strategic
design to ensure the bypass provides the best outcome for
road users, the environment and the community.
The review considered issues raised by the community when
feedback on the project was sought in early 2015 and also
considered a range of environmental, engineering and traffic
issues.
This project update includes information about the refined
strategic design including improvements made to the 2007
design.
RMS 16.160
Key design changes
There have been changes made to the 2007 design to minimise or avoid environmental impacts and improve amenity for
nearby residential areas.
The design changes consider previous community feedback and further technical investigations including:
• Environmental studies
• Road and bridge design
• Geotechnical investigations
• Traffic surveys and traffic modelling.
More information about the options, investigations and studies carried out is available in the Refined Strategic Design Report
which can be viewed on the project webpage at rms.nsw.gov.au/rp2j
The key changes include:
Hospital Interchange (John Hunter Hospital)
Bypass alignment
•A half interchange at John Hunter Hospital would provide
access to/from the north which includes a southbound offramp to exit the bypass to the hospital and a northbound
on-ramp to exit the hospital to enter the bypass
•Bypass has been moved to reduce potential noise and visual
impacts on residential areas. This also avoids and reduces
impacts on threatened flora and fauna within the bushland
corridor
•Three structures provided along the bypass to improve
connectivity in the bushland for people and animals.
Northern Interchange (Jesmond)
•Motorists from the south would continue using the existing
hospital access off Lookout Road which would be a more
direct route for those travelling northbound
•The existing roundabout on Newcastle Road has been
replaced with an intersection controlled by traffic lights to
manage future traffic flow
•A bridge over the bypass would include a shared path for
pedestrians and cyclists, providing a connection between the
hospital and residential areas to the west.
•Three lanes would be provided in both directions on
Newcastle Road to improve traffic flow
•Pedestrian and cyclist crossings at the intersection would
be controlled by traffic lights to improve safety across
Newcastle Road
Southern Interchange (Lookout Road)
•Existing mid-block traffic lights for pedestrians crossing
Newcastle Road would be replaced with a footbridge linking
to the existing off-road pedestrian and cyclist facilities either
side of Newcastle Road.
Newcastle Inner City Bypass – Timeline of
WARNERS
BAY
WINDALE
•A bridge on Lookout Road would take northbound traffic
over the bypass and connect to the existing traffic lights at
McCaffrey Drive to improve traffic flow
•Traffic lights would be provided for southbound traffic where
the bypass connects to Lookout Road. This would safely
connect traffic and allow traffic to safely access right turns at
Grandview Road and Cardiff Road
•Upgrades would be provided on McCaffrey Drive, including
two right turn lanes on McCaffrey Drive and lengthening the
construction
left turn lane to improve traffic flow at the intersection with
Lookout Road.
WALLSEND
n
stle In er City B
ypa
wca
Ne
ss
BENNETTS
GREEN
•Motorists from the north would use the proposed new
western connection off the bypass to get to the hospital
which would reduce travel time and distance. This is expected
to also provide additional traffic flow improvements along the
existing route
Newcastle Inner
City Bypass
Rankin Park
to Jesmond
RANKIN
PARK
JESMOND
SANDGATE
John Hunter
Hospital
CHARLESTOWN
West Charlestown Bypass
Opened 2003
SHORTLAND
Rankin Park
to Kotara
Opened 1983
Newcastle Inner City Bypass planning and construction stages.
Proposed
Rankin Park
to Jesmond
Jesmond to Shortland
Opened 1993
Shortland to
Sandgate
Opened 2014
Southern Interchange design review
A detailed review of the Southern Interchange was carried
out to investigate the need for a northbound on-ramp and
southbound off-ramp at McCaffrey Drive, which had not been
included in the 2007 design.
The traffic modelling showed that the bypass is forecast to
reduce traffic volumes on McCaffrey Drive by about 15 per
cent with traffic decreasing from about 19,000 to 16,000*
vehicles per day.
The investigations found that while the design and
construction of the ramps is technically possible, they
are not economically viable due to forecasted low
usage and high cost to build.
This decrease is due to traffic from north-western suburbs
(such as Wallsend, Maryland and Fletcher) predicted to use the
new bypass to access the hospital and travel to destinations
south of McCaffrey Drive.
A number of design constraints and engineering factors,
including the steep grade and topography at this location,
make the ramps expensive to build with the cost expected to
be around $25 million.
The traffic modelling also showed that inclusion of ramps
at McCaffrey Drive would have a very small impact on the
level of traffic expected to use the surrounding road network
(including Grandview Road), compared to the bypass without
the ramps.
The traffic modelling showed low usage of the
northbound on-ramp and southbound offramp at McCaffrey Drive with about 80 to 90*
vehicles per day expected to use each ramp.
*Traffic volumes predicted in year 2020
This represents only about one percent of
existing traffic using McCaffrey Drive.
In comparison, the traffic modelling showed
high usage of the Lookout Road ramps
with about 14,000 to 15,000* vehicles a day
predicted to use each ramp.
Improvements to McCaffrey
Drive intersection
oad
ut R
ko
Loo
Traffic lights
to control
southbound
traffic
Bridge takes northbound traffic on
Lookout Road over the bypass
Ne
w
Ci cas
ty tle
By In
pa ne
ss r
McCaffrey Drive
The Southern Interchange looking south.
Newcastle Inner City Bypass – Rankin Park to Jesmond
an
d
Ro view
ad
Southern Interchange (Lookout Road)
Gr
Extension of right
and left turn lanes
Lo
ok
ou
N
ive
Bridge takes northbound
traffic on Lookout Road
over the bypass
M
fre
af
cC
r
yD
tR
Bridge over
the bypass
oa
d
Traffic lights
to control
southbound
traffic
Lo
Proposed
off-road
cycleway
ok
ou
tR
oa
d
Two right turn lanes to and
from McCaffrey Drive
Newcastle Inner
City Bypass
Extension of left
turn lane out of
McCaffrey Drive
Hospital Interchange (John Hunter Hospital)
N
Bridge over bypass
Pedestrian path on
bridge connects to
existing track
On-ramp to
the bypass
(northbound)
JOHN HUNTER
HOSPITAL
Bypass ramp would connect
to John Hunter Hospital’s
internal road system
Off-ramp to
hospital (southbound)
Northern Interchange (Jesmond)
Bridge to allow
off-ramp to pass
under bypass
Blue Gum
Bridge over
Newcastle Road
with two lanes in
each direction
Turn lanes provided to
enter and exit the bypass
in all directions
Newc
ad
astle
Traffic lights replace
roundabout
Inner
City B
ypass
TO UNIVERSITY, SHORTLAND
AND SANDGATE
t
ee
Str
be
rt
Connection from
Robert Street retained
Ro
Cycleway modified
to connect to new
intersection
New
castl
e Ro
N
Road
New
ca
stle R
oad
Three lanes in
each direction on
Newcastle Road
Benefits
Key benefits of the proposal include:
•Improved traffic flow for motorists using the Newcastle
Inner City Bypass by avoiding 11 sets of traffic lights along
the existing route
•Reduced congestion on key parts of the surrounding road
network, in particular the existing route of Lookout Road,
Croudace Street and Newcastle Road
•Improved connectivity to John Hunter Hospital with
provision of a western access.
Environmental assessment
An environmental assessment will be prepared to further
assess the potential environmental and social impacts of
the proposal and to identify management and mitigation
activities.
The investigations will consider potential environmental
impacts including:
•Biodiversity
• Traffic and road safety
• Operational and construction noise
The proposal
• Visual amenity
The proposed upgrade includes:
• Air and water quality
•3.4 kilometres of four lane divided road
• Hydrology and flooding
•A northern interchange at Newcastle Road
• Property acquisition and land use
•A southern interchange at Lookout Road
• Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage.
•A half interchange providing access to
John Hunter Hospital to/from the north
The environmental assessment is expected to be displayed
for community feedback later this year.
•Three structures provided along the bypass to improve
connectivity in the bushland for people and animals
•Off-road provisions for pedestrians and cyclists including a
footbridge over Newcastle Road at Jesmond Park.
Refined strategic design
N
Road
Bridge structures
Existing cycleway
Proposed cycleway
Earthworks fill (adding soil)
Earthworks cut (removing soil)
Fauna underpass
field
Da
ng
er
Bypass alignment
moved east to
reduce noise and
visual impacts on
residents
Road
s Street
WALLSEND
lose
ore C
Claym
dv
an
Gr
Birchgrove Dr
ok
ou
tR
Parade
Vi
tegic Design
2007 Stra
ry
ive
Bridge takes northbound
traffic on Lookout Road
over bypass
Mi
nim
Interchange includes
a bridge over
Newcastle Road
ba
h Close
JESMOND
SHOPPING
CENTRE
Underpass for fauna
movement
oa
d
Blue Gum
Road
TO UNIVERSITY,
SHORTLAND AND
SANDGATE
TO CHARLESTOWN AND
BENNETTS GREEN
Half interchange to provide
access to the hospital
to/from the north
JOHN HUNTER
HOSPITAL
Bypass is two lanes
in each direction
Newc
astle
Bridge to reduce vegetation
clearing and provide
bushwalker access, fauna
movement and drainage
Inner
City B
ypass
Roundabout would be
replaced by traffic lights
All existing traffic
movements retained
at McCaffrey Drive
intersection
Lo
JESMOND
PARK
ok
ou
tR
oa
d
Image date May 2014
NEW LAMBTON
HEIGHTS
LAMBTON
Newca
NEW LAMBTON
TO NEWCASTLE
Cro
ud
ace
Str
eet
Pedestrian crossing would be
replaced by a footbridge over
Newcastle Road
Steel Str
eet
stle Ro
ad
BLACKBUTT
RESERVE
Rus
se
Roa ll
d
Lo
JESMOND
cto
Bypass alignment moved
east to reduce impact on
flora and fauna
iew
Ro
D
riv
e
Drive
GEORGE
McGREGOR PARK
ad
McCaffrey
ge
Dougla
Newcastle
Dangerfield Drive
Cambrid
se
Clo
Street
TO M1 PACIFIC
MOTORWAY
Pedestrian path on
bridge connects to
existing track
na
Marshall
RANKIN PARK
Syg
NEW LAMBTON
HEIGHTS
ELERMORE
VALE
Drive
Key
JESMOND
Involving the community
Drop-in information sessions
Roads and Maritime is working with the community and
stakeholders during the planning process to understand issues
and minimise potential impacts.
Stakeholders and the community are invited to view the plans,
meet the project team and find out more about the project:
Feedback received will be considered to prepare the concept
design and environmental assessment, which are expected to
be displayed for community feedback in 2016.
When:Thursday 19 May 2016 from 4pm to 8.30pm
Saturday 21 May 2016 from 9am to 12.30pm
Thursday 26 May 2016 from 4pm to 8.30pm
Saturday 28 May 2016 from 9am to 12.30pm
What happens next?
Where:Stockland Jesmond Shopping Centre
28 Blue Gum Road, Jesmond
Upcoming planning activities include:
•
Community and stakeholder discussions
•
Preparation of the concept design and environmental
assessment for public display
Have your say
•
Seek NSW and Australian Government project approval
•
Detailed design
•
Construction timing is subject to project approval
by the Minister for Planning.
Project development process
Strategic design display (2007)
TWO-WAY COMMUNITY
CONSULTATION
Refined strategic design display
WE
ARE
HERE
Concept design and environmental assessment
Seek planning approval
Feedback on the refined strategic design is invited by
9 June 2016.
Phone:1800 818 433 (during business hours)
Email:[email protected]
Web:rms.nsw.gov.au/rp2j
Mail:Matthew Mate
Project Development Manager
Roads and Maritime Services
Locked Bag 2030
Newcastle, NSW 2300
If you need help understanding this
information, please contact the Translating
and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and
ask them to call us on 1300 761 923.
Complete detailed design
Further information
Start construction
More information about the project and investigations
carried out are available on the project webpage at
rms.nsw.gov.au/rp2j
Open to traffic
May 2016
RMS 16.160
Privacy Roads and Maritime Services (“RMS”) is subject to the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998(“PPIP Act”) which requires that we comply with the
Information Privacy Principles set out in the PPIP Act. All information in correspondence is collected for the sole purpose of assisting in the assessment of this proposal. The
information received, including names and addresses of respondents, may be published in subsequent documents unless a clear indication is given in the correspondence
that all or part of that information is not to be published. Otherwise RMS will only disclose your personal information, without your consent, if authorised by the law. Your personal
information will be held by RMS at 59 Darby Street, Newcastle, NSW 2300. You have the right to access and correct the information if you believe that it is incorrect.