The $1.7 billion Hunter Expressway has been open only six months and has already changed the lives of thousands of motorists across the region.
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Here in Maitland many have happily reported that it’s now easier to get around the city than it was 12 months ago – especially during morning and afternoon peak-hour periods.
At Greta and Branxton, the locals say that with thousands of car movements removed from their local roads it’s like turning the clock back 30 years.
Maitland residents who live close to the expressway spruik its benefits, saying it has cut between and 10 and 15 minutes off their trip to the M1 and shortens their trip to Newcastle on the coast and Singleton up the valley.
Earlier this year the Mercury reported that Maitland City Council and the Roads and Maritime Services hoped the expressway would also alleviate traffic congestion at the Melbourne Street and Newcastle Road traffic lights at East Maitland.
While an NRMA survey has found that traffic movements on the highway through East Maitland have dropped, motorists are still complaining about the length of time it takes to travel along Newcastle Road through the suburb.
The multi-million dollar fixes to the roundabouts near Maitland Hospital and Maitland railway station have also helped improve traffic flow, but the problems in the east still remain.
In recent times the RMS also reduced the speed limit along this section of road from 70km/h to 60km/h, much to the annoyance of motorists.
Now that we know the opening of the expressway hasn’t helped this section of road it will be interesting to see what plan the RMS can come up with to make life a little better for Maitland motorists.
