“We are very excited about the opportunity to work with Aurecon to develop what will be an iconic, challenging and high profile project,” RMS project manager Matthew Mate said.

The $280 million Rankin Park to Jesmond section is the final stage of the bypass which is being built to provide traffic relief on the surrounding road network and to improve north/south traffic flow in Newcastle.

It includes a 3.4km four-lane divided road between Rankin Park and Jesmond, to the west of John Hunter Hospital, as well as two grade-separated interchanges and various bridge structures.

“Aurecon is thrilled to have won this local Newcastle project and will work closely with RMS and other key stakeholders to deliver a concept design and environmental assessment of the highest quality,” Aurecon project leader Colin Matthews said.

Aurecon will provide services for all aspects of the concept design including roads, pavements, geotechnical, hydrology and hydraulics, drainage, bridges and structures.

“We were selected because of the excellent and reliable service that Aurecon has provided in delivering challenging road projects,” Matthews added.

The 15.6km-long Newcastle Inner City Bypass, located between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie in NSW, is divided into five sections that have been progressively upgraded and developed since the 1980s.

The most recent development was the section between Shortland and Sandgate, where work began in June 2010 and was completed earlier this year.

The Rankin Park to Jesmond section is the final link in the chain and should reduce travel times into the city.