Early works are progressing on the $381 million Muswellbrook Bypass, with a refined project design and major construction expected to begin in 2027.

Jointly funded by the Federal and New South Wales Governments, the project will deliver safer journeys, improve freight efficiency and reduce congestion by diverting through traffic away from Muswellbrook’s town centre.

The Federal Government is contributing $304.8 million towards the project, with the New South Wales Government investing $76.2 million.

The bypass will reshape travel through the Upper Hunter by diverting around 2,500 heavy vehicles a day away from Muswellbrook’s town centre, creating safer roads, more reliable freight movements and a more connected community.

Every day, around 20,000 vehicles travel through the heart of Muswellbrook.

Once complete, the bypass will provide a free-flowing 100 km/h alternative route for through traffic, cutting congestion, improving travel time reliability for freight operators and reducing conflicts between heavy vehicles, local traffic, pedestrians and cyclists.

The project’s refined design delivers a safer, more resilient and more efficient road network.

Key refinements include:

The updated design also reduces flooding impacts, improves traffic movements and minimises property acquisition.

The project is expected to provide a significant boost to the regional economy, supporting about 720 jobs during construction.

Early works are progressing across the project, with the Aboriginal cultural heritage salvage program, undertaken in consultation with the local Aboriginal community, completed in late 2025. Utility relocation work is underway, and dynamic compaction work is now progressing on a section of the alignment crossing a backfilled open-cut mine ahead of major construction.

Completing this work ahead of the main construction contract will help reduce project risk and minimise potential delays during construction.

The project is also moving closer to major construction, with shortlisted applicants progressing to the Request for Tender stage.

Major construction is expected to begin in 2027.

Alongside the bypass, Wybong Road and Bengalla Link Road have both been officially re-categorised as state roads, recognising their strategic importance to the regional freight network.

The reclassification means the New South Wales Government will take responsibility for their ongoing maintenance, reducing costs for Muswellbrook Shire Council.

Acting Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain, said early works were helping bring the project closer to delivery.

“With early works well underway and a refined design finalised, we are powering forward to deliver this $304.8 million Federal Government investment, ensuring trips across the Upper Hunter will be quicker and safer, sooner,” McBain said.

“By moving heavy vehicles onto an alternate route and removing traffic lights, we will fast-track freight movements and save critical time for motorists and truck drivers travelling through the Upper Hunter.”

New South Wales Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley, said the project would support the region’s future growth.

“The Hunter powers our state, and we’re making sure the infrastructure keeps pace by backing families, businesses and the jobs that drive this region forward,” Catley said.

New South Wales Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said the bypass would improve safety and reliability for both local and freight traffic.

“The Muswellbrook Bypass is one of the most significant road projects underway in the Upper Hunter. It will take 20,000 vehicles out of the town centre, making local streets safer while giving freight operators a faster, more reliable route,” Aitchison said.

Federal Member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi, said the project was delivering long-awaited benefits for the community.

“We are getting closer to having heavy traffic flowing away from the town centre, which will make our local streets safer and quieter, and give locals their community back,” Repacholi said.