The design contract for the upgrade of Weakleys Drive and John Renshaw Drive intersection at Beresfield in New South Wales has been awarded to Aurecon Australia.
“The intersection upgrade at the northern end of the M1motorway is one of three projects in the Australian and NSW governments’ jointly funded $392 million M1 Productivity Package,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss in a statement.
“The project will help reduce travel times between Newcastle and Sydney, improve road freight efficiency and cater for the expected growth of freight traffic,” he said.
New South Wales Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast, Scot MacDonald, said the extensive upgrades will improve driving conditions for motorists using the intersection.
“The existing two lane roundabout at Beresfield is used by around 4000 vehicles an hour during the weekday peak and the upgrade will enable the road to cater for increasing demand,” he said.
“This intersection upgrade involves replacing the existing roundabout with traffic lights to improve motorist safety, traffic flow and to ease congestion.
“The upgrade will also complement future upgrades across the road network, including the proposed extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway to Raymond Terrace to improve safety and travel times.”
Subject to planning approval, the intersection upgrade will be completed by 2019.