Roads and Maritime Services revealed this week that a shared path has been included in the design for the fifth stage of the bypass, between Rankin Park and Jesmond, allaying fears that pedestrians and cyclists faced crossing three busy multi-lane roads when the project was complete.

As part of the plan, a shared path will be constructed at the northern interchange for the Jesmond Park cycleway and an underpass would be built beneath the bypass for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the road.

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Newcastle Cycleways Movement spokesman Sam Reich said his group had lobbied for this solution, which would maintain an easy connection between the east and west for active transport users.

“It was basically cutting off the last link to the western side of the [Newcastle local government area] and Lake Macquarie,” he said. 

“If [the cycling link] was going to be interrupted, it would dissuade people from that mode of transport. There are many people who cycle in to the university, to the CBD and to other areas on the eastern side of the Newcastle area via that very vital east-west link. It directly affected many, many people.”

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A northbound and southbound cycleway connection between the southern interchange and Lookout Road was also among the design changes, which came after a public submission period.

The proposed footpath on the northern side of McCaffrey Drive will be widened and become a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians.

Parliamentary secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said the cycleways would improve accessibility.

He said south-facing ramps at John Hunter Hospital, which the state government announced in August, would create “a full interchange, which would provide access in all directions between the bypass and the John Hunter Hospital precinct”.

According to RMS, travellers who use the Rankin Park to Jesmond stretch of the bypass – when completed – will avoid 11 sets of traffic lights in what is expected to cut peak morning and afternoon commute times by 80 per cent.