Hunter expressway - f3 to Kurri kurri and Kurri Kurri to Branxton NSW

green infrastructure - road

The Hunter Expressway, the first dual carrageway greenfield hinterland expressway to be constructed by NSW Roads and Maritime, is located at the junction of the two major freight and transport corridors, the north-south Brisbane to Sydney F3 Expressway and the hinterland north-south route of the New England Highway. It forms part of the NSW State and Federal Government’s ongoing programme to create an east-westlink between Newcastle and the growing urban cetres in the Lower Hunter Region.

Darren led the urban and landscape design for both sections working with Abigroup on the western section between Kurri Kurri to Branxton and with the NSW Roads and Maritime/Theiss/Hyder/PB Alliance on the eastern section between the F3 to Kurri Kurri, The eastern section passes through a variety of landscapes including rugged terrain and floodplain providing the traveller with a diversity of visual experiences from bushland to picturesque rural lands. This unique setting provides occasional valley and ridgeline vistas and views to Mount Sugarloaf, often overlooking areas of high scenic attractiveness.

The Project demonstrates a high level of integration with environmental outcomes with topsoil management and preservation of the soil seedbank being a key priority of the revegetation program.