Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said early preliminary works began last week to ensure the successful tenderer is able to start work as soon as possible.

“The Australian and NSW governments have each committed $51.9 million to deliver the upgrade of Tourle Street and Cormorant Road at Kooragang Island,” Mr Truss said.

“The successful contractor will be responsible for duplicating 3.8 kilometres of Tourle Street and Cormorant Road between Industrial Drive at Mayfield West and Egret Street at Kooragang.

“The upgrade will improve traffic flow and cater for the expected increase in traffic volumes from future urban development in Port Stephens, the expansion of Newcastle Airport and growth of industrial development on Kooragang Island. The project will also provide a new two lane bridge on the western side of the existing bridge.”

New South Wales Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast Scot MacDonald said Tourle Street and Cormorant Road form the main corridor connecting Kooragang Island to Newcastle and the southern section of the Port of Newcastle.

“The upgrade will provide two lanes in each direction to improve traffic flow, travel times and safety for the more than 33,000 vehicles, including more than 3000 heavy vehicles, that use this section of the road daily,” Mr MacDonald said.

“Prequalified contractors are now invited to submit tenders for major building work which is expected to start early next year after the successful contractor is announced.”

Tenders close at 2.30pm on Wednesday 18 November 2015. Tenders are to be lodged in the Tender Box, at Roads and Maritime Services, Level 9, 101 Miller Street, North Sydney NSW 2060.

For more information on the duplication of Tourle Street, Cormorant Road at Kooragang visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects and www.tenders.nsw.gov.au/rta.