# M1 Pacific Motorway extension in Hunter region

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/m1-pacific-motorway-extension-in-hunter-region
> Updated: 2026-09-09T02:28:48.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

The M1 Pacific Motorway extension in Australia’s Hunter region has moved from the community preview stage to its scheduled opening. In mid-August, local residents participated in a community walk along a 3.5-kilometre stretch of the nearly completed project, which included a new viaduct spanning the Hunter River.

By early September, officials announced that the $2.24 billion, 15-kilometre connection between Black Hill and Raymond Terrace is set to open on September 11, approximately 18 months ahead of schedule. The project aims to close a major link in the Sydney-to-Brisbane economic corridor, reducing peak-hour travel times and removing up to 25,000 vehicles per day from local streets in areas such as Hexham, Heatherbrae, Tarro, and Thornton. The extension is also expected to strengthen east coast supply chains by improving freight access to the Port of Newcastle and Newcastle Airport.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: M1 Pacific Motorway extension to open in Hunter region

The $2.24 billion M1 Pacific Motorway extension in Australia's Hunter region opens this Friday, connecting Black Hill to Raymond Terrace and improving the Sydney-to-Brisbane freight corridor.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/m1-pacific-motorway-extension-to-open-in-hunter-region

### 2026-08-16: M1 to Raymond Terrace extension hosts community preview walk

Hunter residents walked a 3.5-kilometre section of the nearly finished M1 to Raymond Terrace extension, including a new viaduct over the Hunter River, to preview the project intended to reduce local traffic.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/m1-to-raymond-terrace-extension-hosts-community-preview-walk

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Cite as: M1 Pacific Motorway extension in Hunter region. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/m1-pacific-motorway-extension-in-hunter-region