Exciting news from the Hexham Straight Widening Project. As of Thursday morning, 21 November, traffic is officially flowing across the new southbound Ironbark Creek (Toohrnbing) Bridge.
This milestone represents a significant step forward in the Hexham Straight Widening Project for our client Transport for NSW, a transformative initiative designed to enhance connectivity and ease congestion for motorists across Newcastle and the Hunter region.
This achievement showcases the determination, collaboration, and expertise of the Hexham Straight Widening Alliance—a partnership between Georgiou Group, SMEC, and Daracon. It’s a moment worth celebrating for everyone involved in this transformative project!
Reflecting on this milestone, Luke Weller, Construction Manager, shares:
“It really has been a massive effort by all to achieve this milestone. I have really been impressed with the effort of the Structures Team to sequence and coordinate their works over the last 5–6 months. Further, the effort put in by the Civils team to be ready to act when required and to complete the civils build in tandem. The effort and coordination of both teams in these last 2–3 months to make a plan and stick to it, that would support each other in the build, is a testament to you all. If there was adversity, rain, resequencing required, to persevere, revise the plan, and continue towards the goal.”
Luke went on to acknowledge the Utilities Team for relocating critical services, from water and power to gas and communications, and commended the Environment, Safety, Design, Community, and Traffic Management teams for their unwavering support.
“I don’t want to leave out the Utility Team, who relocated services (Water, Power, Gas works, Comms relocations, through Zone 2 to allow the build), and more recently, lit it up. Or the effort of our support teams – Environment, Safety, Design, Community, and Traffic Management – in your efforts to support us through the build and help us to reach this goal. Certainly doesn’t capture the full scope and effort put in by all, but thought it might prompt some reflection of your own journey, challenges you may have encountered, and works complete.”
This traffic switch is more than a milestone — it’s a “Hex-traordinary” step forward for the project and the community. It demonstrates the power of teamwork, adaptability, and determination to overcome challenges and deliver solutions that matter.
Looking Ahead
The new Ironbark Creek (Toohrnbing) Bridge plays a vital role in improving traffic flow and enhancing safety, bringing us closer to completing the Hexham Straight Widening Project.
As we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on delivering the remaining stages of the project with the same level of commitment and excellence.
