State and Federal politicians have joined mayors and councillors at a dedication ceremony this morning for the M-15 Hunter Expressway.

More than 10,000 people have worked on the construction of the $1.7 billion, 40 kilometre road from SEAHAMPTON to BRANXTON since the project began in 2010.

The original cost of the project was put at $180 million when it first received Commonwealth funding in 1997, but the price tag continually blew out as the state government dragged it’s feet over planning for the road as it became a political football with their federal counterparts.

The community will be able to walk or ride on the road tomorrow morning before it opens to traffic tomorrow night.

Click on photos below to enlarge.



The M-15 Hunter Expressway looking south towards Mount Sugarloaf


NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss at this morning’s dedication ceremony


The plaque unveiled at the ceremony