Mr Baird said in a press release that a re-elected Liberal government would invest $70 million to upgrade Nelson Bay Road into a dual carriageway all the way from Stockton Bridge to Anna Bay.

The announcement comes just two days after Labor pledged $65 million to widen Nelson Bay Road under a newly elected Luke Foley government - guaranteeing a win-win situation for motorists.

A delighted Liberal candidate for Port Stephens, Ken Jordan, said progressing the long-awaited Fingal Bay bypass made a lot of sense.

"For motorists to reap the full benefits of the dual carriageway the Fingal bypass is essential," Mr Jordan said.

"It will break the gridlock once arriving in Nelson Bay.

"A re-elected Liberal government will provide Port Stephens Council with $3 million to assist with the design of the Fingal Bay link road, which has been in the pipeline for more than two decades."

Mr Jordan said that Port Stephens Council was in talks with representatives from the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council about access issues for sections of the bypass road.

The bypass will connect the Dowling Street roundabout to Government Road in Fingal Bay.

Mr Baird said that Nelson Bay Road was vital for the community of Port Stephens, carrying the bulk of local and tourist traffic visiting the Nelson Bay area.

"Our delivery record speaks for itself," he said. "The $45 million stage three upgrade of the Nelson Bay Road was announced, designed and construction started inside four years by this government.

“The 4.2km upgrade between Bobs Farm and Anna Bay will be complete by the middle of this year."

Mr Baird said that construction work for the full duplication from Stockton to Anna Bay would start in the next term of government, with funding from the NSW Roads and Maritime budget.