From Shaping the Hunter to the M1 to Raymond Terrace motorway
The Hunter Valley road network has originally evolved from rudimentary convict trails to an integrated regional system shaped by geography, settlement, and engineering innovation.
Early routes from Newcastle to the Hunter Valley were significantly constrained by the major floodplains and surrounding wetlands at Hexham, Raymond Terrace and Maitland. These challenges, including more recently the issue of mine subsidence, have influenced road network development and infrastructure decisions over the last half-century.
This session explores how engineers, planners and communities have progressively transformed these earlier, historical routes into major motorways, culminating in the expected 2027 completion of the Motorway link from Blackhill to Raymond Terrace, including a 2.6-km bridge across the expansive Hexham floodplain.
Attendees will gain insights into engineering heritage, and how projects adapt to floodplain issues, coastal wetlands, mine subsidence, and increasing urban growth. The presentation highlights both the legacy and the future of transport development in the Hunter Valley. This event is suited to civil and structural engineers, those in geotech and mining, and engineerings involved in Heritage or Historic societies.
Learning outcomes
In this presentation you will learn:
- road network historical development within regional context
- engineering heritage matters in relation to bridge design and pavement technology
- progressive development of major road projects through difficult terrain, mine subsidence areas, floodplains and coastal wetlands.
- impact of increasing urban development and traffic growth
Program
In-person
- 5.30 pm AEDT: Registration and networking
- 6.00 pm AEDT: Presentation commences
- 7.00 pm AEDT: Presentation concludes
Online
- 6.00 pm AEDT: Presentation commences
- 7.00 pm AEDT: Presentation concludes
About the speaker
Barry Hancock Director, Bazzenav Project Consulting
