Construction has begun on one of Lake Macquarie City Council's largest infrastructure projects, which aims to alleviate growing pains in its south-west.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The council is spending $10.5 million over two financial years to upgrade the intersection of Wyee Road and Alliance Avenue in Morisset.
The state government is contributing a further $2.5 million towards the $13 million project.
The intersection will include a dual-lane roundabout, shared pathways, pedestrian refuges, and a cycling lane.
It is hoped the new intersection will improve traffic in and out of the Morisset business park and complement Transport for NSW's $76 million upgrade of nearby Mandalong Road.
"A $10.5 million investment for a road upgrade is significant, and it's coming from our section 7.11 developer contributions," Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said.
"We have a vast number of businesses in this industrial estate, and this intersection has been a real bugbear for a long period of time.
"That's why we're ripping the band-aid off and starting the process, and it will really complement what Transport for NSW is planning to do.
"This area, over the next 20 years, is expected to have an additional 12,000 residents as far as Morisset and south-west Lake Macquarie, so it needs the investment, especially in terms of transport infrastructure."
The council's 2025-26 capital works delivery budget is approximately $106 million.
Other significant capital projects include upgrades of Deaves Road at Mandalong ($8.4 million), the expansion of the Awaba Waste Management Facility ($7 million), West Wallsend Swim Centre ($3.3 million), and Macquarie Field at Speers Point ($2.3 million).
Independent Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper said he regularly received complaints about the Wyee Road and Alliance Avenue intersection.
"This problem here with Wyee Road is exacerbating problems with Mandalong Road, with not being able to get out and traffic management around the area," Mr Piper said.
"If you look at the knock-off time here, anywhere from 3pm to 5.30pm-6pm, getting out of this intersection is really difficult now.
"The major roundabout is on Mandalong Road, but it can bank up right back to here [the corner of Alliance Avenue and Wyee Road], and it causes unnecessary complications for thousands of people."
It is expected that construction on the Mandalong Road upgrade will begin in 2027, once the Wyee Road and Alliance Avenue intersection is complete.
Geotechnical and survey investigations are underway on Mandalong Road.
Mr Piper said it was a complicated construction.
"Mandalong Road has high-tension power lines, a gas pipeline, fibre optic cables, and all those types of issues," he said.
"This is a less complicated intersection, so let's get on and do this one. Each one will improve the situation."
