Federal Government announce $80 million for M1 extension from Black Hill to Raymond Terrace

Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes, who has described the project as critical for improving freight transport and traffic flow, welcomed the announcement on Thursday.

"We're pleased that this project is still a strong priority for the Commonwealth, because there would be a temptation to divert funds to support COVID assistance and economic recovery measures they are concerned with," Mr Hawes said.

"In the 2022 Business Hunter Pre-budget and Federal Election Submissions we'll continue our strong, ongoing advocacy to ensure this project remains clearly in focus for both parties given the growth of the region and this extension's critical importance to the Hunter."

So far there are no details available regarding the timeframe - when works are expected to begin or be completed.

Those details will come from the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, a NSW Liberal spokeswoman said. The extension, often referred to as the missing link, has been on the table for many years.

The Liberal candidate for Paterson, Brooke Vitnell said in a press release that the roadworks would make 'typical holiday bottlenecks' a thing of the past, removing more than 25,000 vehicles a day from key congestion and merge points,

"I'm proud that when complete this $2.1 billion project will get Paterson workers to and from work more safely, enable them to spend less time in traffic and more time with their families and get freight and essential goods to them quicker," Ms Vitnell said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Ms Vitnell's candidacy in November, ahead of the federal election in 2022 when she will face off Federal Labor MP Meryl Swanson.

The federal government had pledged $1.6 billion to the $2 billion project, with forward estimates showing that most of the money would not be spent until 2023 to 2028.

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