Work on a long-awaited cornerstone of the Central Maitland revitalisation is on track.

The concrete slab has been poured for the Riverlink Building, part of the $17 million project known as The Levee that is transforming the CBD.

The Riverlink Building will be a large archway, containing public space, art, amenities and a café, that will link High Street to the bank of the Hunter River.

“Contractor Graph Building is making good progress on the construction of the Riverlink Building, with the reinforced concrete ground floor support slabs recently completed,” Maitland City Council’s major projects executive manager Wayne Cone said.

“Works to be undertaken in the next few months include the erection of the structural steel work and commencement of the construction of brick walls.”

Council bought and demolished three High Street buildings to make way for the development.

The Riverlink Building is expected to be complete by the end of 2017.