The work - which is designed to reduce the impact of flooding and improve connectivity on the main road between Cessnock and Maitland - has reached an important stage, requiring a section of Cessnock Road to be closed over one weekend in April.

The weekend in question will be determined after community feedback is assessed.

"The community is being invited to have their say on the closure and the detour route," NSW Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said.

"We're building the new road alongside the existing thoroughfare to minimise traffic impacts while work is carried out.

"To work across the full project and complete this as quickly and as safely as possible, we're proposing to temporarily close the road in both directions from Avery's Lane to about 600 metres north over one full weekend.

"This will ensure our workers can safely build a high-quality road surface with less disruption to residents, businesses and road users."

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The temporary closure would take place from 6.30pm Friday to 5.30am Monday on the nominated weekend, weather permitting.

Light vehicles would be detoured via the Hunter Expressway, Buchanan Road, Mount Vincent Road and the New England Highway to rejoin Cessnock Road. This would add about 18 minutes to travel time.

Heavy vehicles would detour via John Renshaw Drive to the New England Highway, adding about 23 minutes to travel time.

Access for emergency services would be maintained at all times and bus services would continue during the closure.

The project is being delivered by Transport for NSW and its construction partner, Daracon Contractors.

The community is invited to comment on the proposed detour by Wednesday, March 16 by email to testershollow@daracon.com.au or by phone on 1800 595 220.

Transport for NSW will carefully consider the feedback received, and will keep the community updated on the outcomes and next steps for the project.

The Australian and NSW governments are jointly funding the $17 million project, which was announced during the 2016 Federal Election campaign.

The road had flooded in January that year - the fourth time in nine years it had been cut off - and was flooded again in March 2021.

The Australian Government has committed $15 million to the project, with the NSW Government providing the remaining $2 million.

Construction on the two-lane road - which will be 1.5 metres higher than the existing thoroughfare - began in late 2020 and is expected to be complete by early 2023.

Patron Senator for the Hunter, Hollie Hughes said the project is one example of how the government is "getting it done" for the people of the Hunter region.

"After more than 12 months of construction, the community is starting to see the new, higher road take shape and will soon benefit from better connectivity and fewer traffic disruptions during flooding events," Senator Hughes said.

"The upgrade of Cessnock Road has been providing a much-needed boost to the local economy, supporting 50 jobs and 10 local suppliers and contractors.

"We'll continue to invest in the infrastructure New South Wales needs, building on the $44 billion we've invested in road and rail projects in the state since 2013."

For more information on the project, visit www.nswroads.work/testershollow.