Rankin Park to Jesmond
The Newcastle Inner City Bypass (Highway 23) between the Pacific Highway at Bennetts Green and the Pacific Highway at Sandgate is a long standing proposal to provide an orbital road to link Newcastle's road network.
A preferred route has been identified for the Rankin Park to Jesmond section of the bypass and was displayed for community comment in February 2007.
A submissions report that describes the issues raised during this consultation and how those issues are addressed in the project design, located on the project documents page.
Objectives and benefits
The preferred route corridor has been included in Newcastle City Council's Local Environment Plan (LEP) and preserved for the future road link, which would provide a final link in the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.
The section of the bypass between Rankin Park and Jesmond would provide traffic relief to the surrounding road network, in particular the existing route of Lookout Road, Croudace Street and Newcastle Road.
Preferred route
The preferred route was chosen as it provides the best overall balance between functional, geotechnical, engineering and economic considerations. This option would provide:
- Enhanced connectivity with Lookout Road, best catering for future traffic volumes.
- The greatest benefits to the surrounding road network.
- Less risk associated with mine subsidence areas.
- Low impact on George McGregor Park.
- Good fit with the existing Local Environmental Plan (established by council) route corridor.
The preferred route will be a four lane dual carriageway, 3.4km in length and include:
- A grade separated interchange at the northern connection with the existing Newcastle Road to Shortland section of the bypass.
- Potential for a connection to the rear of John Hunter Hospital.
- Bridge structures along the route to provide for drainage, fauna movements, and pedestrian access.
- A grade separated interchange with Lookout Road and McCaffrey Drive at the southern connection.
