Bridge foundation works are now complete for the 11 bridges on the M1 Pacific Motorway extension
The M1 Pacific Motorway extension has hit a significant construction milestone, with crews driving the final pile to complete foundation works for 11 new bridges between Black Hill and Raymond Terrace.
Since February 2024, project teams have installed 278 bridge piles across the 15-kilometre corridor, including 173 piles for the 2.6-kilometre viaduct that will span the Hunter River and surrounding floodplain.
Sixteen piles were installed directly into the riverbed using heavy-lift barges.
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New bridges have already opened at Black Hill, Tomago and Raymond Terrace, and the Masonite Road bridge at Heatherbrae opened in October.
The remaining seven bridges, including the Hunter River viaduct, will open progressively as construction gathers pace.
The $2.24 billion M1 extension project is jointly funded by the federal and NSW governments, with the Commonwealth contributing $1.792 billion, and NSW contributing $448 million. The project will also deliver the critical Hexham Straight widening, unlocking safer, faster and more reliable journeys across the Hunter.