A major milestone has been reached on the Newcastle Inner City Bypass project, with the route now fully connected.

The bypass is expected to open later this year and is set to make travel around Newcastle and the Hunter region faster and more efficient for motorists.

Local MP Tim Crakanthorp welcomed the achievement, acknowledging the scale and complexity of the project.

“This has not been an easy project,” he said.

Mr Crakanthorp also thanked the construction crews who have worked to deliver the major infrastructure project, recognising their efforts in reaching the significant milestone.

Once open, the bypass is expected to reduce congestion, improve travel times and provide a more direct route for traffic travelling through the region.