The purpose of the project is to extend the existing M1 Pacific Motorway from John Renshaw Drive at Black Hill to the southern extent of the Northern Package at Tomago. Specifically, the project involves designing and constructing a new four-lane divided road spanning 10km. This road will connect the Pacific Motorway near the intersection with John Renshaw Drive at Black Hill to a point north of Old Punt Road, east of the existing Pacific Highway at Tomago.

The objectives are to enhance travel times and improve the efficiency of the road network for freight and commuters using the National Land Transport Network (NLTN) at the critical junction of the M1 Pacific Motorway, the New England Highway, and Pacific Highway. The project is situated in the Newcastle CBD, approximately 154km north of Sydney.

Ferrycarrig has been contracted by John Holland and Gamuda to undertake electrical relocation works as part of this project. These relocations will occur at three main points: Tomago, Black Hill, and Tarro. The scope of work includes relocating streetlights, low voltage (LV), and high voltage (HV) installations and constructions. The assets involved, such as the 11KV, 33KV, and 132KV infrastructure managed by Ausgrid, demand a high
level of expertise and management.

The relocation activities require the construction of several Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) bores across main roads and an existing culvert. In Tarro and Tomago, much of the work will focus on installing overhead cables, involving the placement of driven precast piles and concrete poles.

The scope of works is summarised below:

• 5 HDD bores
• 1 km of single trenching
• 500m of combined trenching
• 29 Precast driven piles installations
• 30 Concrete and 75 wooden poles installations
• 2kms of UG cable installation with respective jointing
• 6kms OH cable installations with respective UGOHs
• 10 Pole mounted transformers installations
• Earthing, all earthing requirements to satisfy installation

The project faces challenges such as managing difficult ground conditions near a busy highway, coordinating activities across different work areas simultaneously and managing community relations to minimize construction disruptions among residents.