The M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace and Hexham Straight Upgrade proposal is for the development of the Pacific Motorway at Newcastle. The proposal includes the construction of a new 15 kilometre dual carriageway extension to the M1 Pacific Motorway from Black Hill to the Pacific Highway at Raymond Terrace, incorporating a 2.6 kilometre bridge over the New England Highway and Hunter River, and upgrades to the surrounding network. This includes upgrading the six kilometre section of Hexham Straight, the section of the Pacific Highway between the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and Hexham Bridge, incorporating the widening of the section from two lanes in each direction to three lanes in each direction, and the replacement of the bridge spanning Ironbark Creek with new twin bridges. This proposal responds to the existing Pacific Motorway (M1) – Extension to Raymond Terrace  Stage 2 Potential Investment Options Proposal on the Infrastructure Priority List. The project is intended to provide travel time and vehicle operating cost savings, improved safety, freight productivity and flood resilience. The Australian Government has committed $1.6 billion to this proposal under the Investment Road and Rail Program.