Councillor Bob Geoghegan, the Liberal Party-endorsed mayoral candidate, invited the state’s youngest MP, 26-year-old Taylor Martin, to view the congestion on Monday.

Since opening in September last year the overpass has helped reduce travel times for eastbound traffic, but drivers travelling west are stuck in long queues ahead of the roundabout. 

The development has seen Maitland Park used as a rat run by drivers to avoid the gridlock, with a U-turn bay on Cessnock Road dealing with the heavy amount of flow-on traffic.  

“It’s as bad as described,” Central Coast-based Mr Martin said of the westbound back-up.

“It’s not the only issue on this part of the highway,” Cr Geoghegan said of the stretch of road leading to the overpass. 

“It’s not a good outcome.”

Mr Martin, who has served in the NSW Upper House since April, stated that he supported a study to measure vehicle numbers during peak hours ahead of looking at a solution.  

“I’d like to see a study done, to see if we can alleviate the concerns of many Maitland residents,” Mr Martin said. 

“Let’s get the discussion going.”

Cr Geoghegan reiterated calls he made earlier this year for the installation of traffic lights to operate at the roundabout during peak hours, saying that the notorious stretch of road could be a regularly visited topic leading up to September’s election. 

“I think it’s going to be one of the major issues,” he said. 

Cr Geoghegan is one of five candidates for Maitland mayor, with Independent Philip Penfold, the Labor Party’s Loretta Baker, the Greens’ John Brown and Independent Brian Burke also contesting the top job.