RDA Hunter is pleased that the duplication of the Tourle Street Bridge and Cormorant Road is progressing in 2016-17 with the NSW Government’s budget commitment.

“The Tourle Street Bridge and Cormorant Road corridor is key regional infrastructure that connects the Hunter nationally and internationally. It links Newcastle Airport and RAAF Base Williamtown with the Port of Newcastle and national highway system and it carries around 33,000 vehicles daily.” said RDA Hunter CEO Todd Williams.

“Duplication of the existing infrastructure was included in our 2014 Hunter Economic Infrastructure Plan as the number one priority for the region. The work is imperative for regional economic growth as it improves access to our international gateways, our growing urban areas and the expanding industrial developments on Kooragang Island.

“RDA Hunter is pleased that this project has been recognised by all levels of government as important for the Hunter’s future and is being progressed.” continued Mr Williams.

Visit http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/hunter/kooragang-tourle-street-cormorant-rd/

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Kooragang Island is home to a major industrial and employment centre in NSW and is part of the world’s largest coal export port.

Tourle Street and Cormorant Road form the main corridor connecting Kooragang Island to Newcastle and the southern section of the Port of Newcastle. The road is also the main transport corridor connecting Newcastle with Newcastle Airport and Port Stephens. About 33,000 vehicles use the corridor each day, including more than 3000 heavy vehicles.

Roads and Maritime is upgrading the corridor to improve traffic flow and cater for the forecast increase in traffic movements due to future urban development in Port Stephens, the expansion of Newcastle Airport and growth of industrial development on Kooragang Island.

Tourle Street Bridge was replaced in 2009 to improve heavy vehicle loading capacity. The bridge was built as the first stage of providing four continuous travel lanes between Industrial Drive at Mayfield West and Fern Bay. Duplication will ensure the corridor has sufficient capacity to accommodate current and projected traffic volumes.

KEY FEATURES

The upgrade provides the best overall balance between environmental, social and technical considerations.

Key features include:

  • Duplicating 3.8 kilometres of the road between Industrial Drive, Mayfield West and Egret Street, Kooragang to provide two lanes in each direction
  • A new two lane bridge on the western side of the existing bridge
  • 2.5 metre shoulders along Cormorant Road to cater for on-road cyclists
  • Minimising impact on the Long Pond by mainly widening the road on the southern side of the existing Cormorant Road
  • Maintaining access to existing businesses along the corridor
  • Catering for future industrial development on Kooragang Island next to the existing road.