$5million project bridges a significant gap in Singleton’s pathways
Published on 04 July 2024
A unique project to bridge the pedestrian and cycling route between Hunterview/Singleton Heights and Singleton Town Centre will remove traffic risks and encourage active transport thanks to more than $5 million provided from Transport for NSW’s Get NSW Active program.
Singleton Council was successful in receiving $5,073,500 for a pedestrian and cyclist bridge between Combo Lane in Singleton and Col Fisher Park in Hunterview spanning the Hunter River in what is believed to be the waterway’s only exclusively pedestrian and cycling crossing in the region.
The project was also the second biggest single project to be funded under the 2024/2025 Get NSW Active program, which provides councils with money for projects that create safe, easy and enjoyable walking and cycling trips.
Aaron Malloy, Acting Director Infrastructure and Planning said the project would enhance Singleton’s exceptional liveability and connectivity with a vital link for the 7,000 people—and growing—who live in the Singleton Heights and Hunterview areas to walk or cycle to the town centre and avoid busy main roads.
The project is a key inclusion in the Singleton Council Infrastructure Advocacy Agenda and the top priority in the draft Singleton Walking and Cycling Plan.
“Our community told us that shared pathways were the number one priority in our Create Singleton Community Strategic Plan 2032, and this pedestrian and cyclist bridge will be unique to our region in what we believe to be the only pedestrian-only crossing of the Hunter River,” he said.
“It’s a significant project to encourage active transport by addressing the gap in our pedestrian and cycling network and removing the risks associated with heavily trafficked roads, offering safer options for people to walk or cycle into town.
“It also comes at a significant time for Singleton: residential growth is booming in Singleton Heights and Hunterview areas with new land release areas in the pipeline, and construction of the Singleton Bypass is going ahead.”
The new pedestrian and cycling bridge is slated for completion in 2026.
“Council is now working on consolidating our concept plans with a view to calling for tenders for design and construction later this year, and we’ll be engaging with local residents as the project progresses for their input into options for landscaping, lighting and other design elements,” Mr Malloy said.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the range of benefits that will come with the completion of the bridge, from the health and wellbeing of the residents who’ll use it through to the environmental advantages of more people choosing to leave the car at home for short trips.”