CHRISTMAS MILESTONE MET AT THE HUNTER EXPRESSWAY

20 December 2012

The last of the pre-cast concrete segments that include the bridge decks for the three high bridges across the Sugarloaf Range on the Hunter Expressway project have been installed, as the project soars ahead.

Federal Member for the Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon and NSW Duty MLC for Cessnock, Trevor Khan today visited the worksite across the Sugarloaf Range to inspect work on the Expressway.

The laying of the final piece of deck on the bridges is a significant milestone for this section of the expressway, and I am pleased to see everything is progressing on time and on budget, said Mr Fitzgibbon.

These three high bridges through the Sugarloaf Range carry the Hunter Expressway through the steep terrain and they come to a total of around 800 metres.

Once completed, this project will transform how commuters and freight are carried throughout the Hunter.

Mr Khan said the decks on the three bridges across the Sugarloaf Range total more than 800 metres in length, with one bridge sitting as high as 42 metres above the valley floor.

It was an amazing process building these bridges, with a steel launching truss weighing some 1000 tonnes used to drop pieces into place. Anyone interested should view the projects website to see the short video that documents the building progress.

Im very excited for the Hunter Expressway to open at the end of 2013, if the weather permits it, said Mr Khan.

The $1.7 billion Hunter Expressway is the largest infrastructure project currently underway in NSW, and the Australian Government has committed some $1.5 billion to the project and the NSW Government $200 million.Hunter Expressway Christmas Milestone