MANDALONG Road will receive a $76 million overhaul, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has announced during a Hunter visit.
The New England MP announced the project, jointly funded by the state government, at Morisset in a morning flooded with election promises for Hunter projects.
The federal government has committed $56 million for the upgrade in the budget, with the council to pour in $20 million subject to a final business case.
The plan will replace two roundabouts with traffic lights and duplicate part of the thoroughfare in a bid to "unlock the economic potential of the Lake Macquarie region".
"Providing two lanes in each direction between the Pacific Motorway and Freemans Drive will improve travel times and journey reliability for vehicles on this key east-west route," Mr Joyce said.
Nationals candidate for Hunter, James Thomson, said the upgrade would deliver a range of benefits.
"Mandalong road upgrades will ease congestion, reduce commuting times and unlock over $1 billion worth of investment into Morisset and surrounding areas," he said.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said it would also include additional turning bays for the M1 connection.
"This upgrade will unlock the potential for surrounding lands to be developed, including new opportunities for the freight industry to use this beautiful region as a hub, situated almost halfway between Melbourne and Brisbane," Mr Farraway said.
Lake Macquarie City Council chief executive Morven Cameron said the upgrade "is required to release development lands that will allow Morisset to grow and realise its potential".
"Investors and families are already targeting Morisset for its strategic location and capacity to service residential and commercial needs, with more than $1.2 billion of housing, tourism, commercial and industrial development poised for delivery," Ms Cameron said.
Independent Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper said the investment would also cater for the area into the future.
"The federal and state governments have stepped up to address a problem way beyond the capacity of council to do and this will continue to drive investment in the area," Mr Piper said.
