A $26 MILLION project for the start of the Glendale interchange will begin on Monday. The work involves extending and realigning Glendale Drive with new traffic lights and extending Stockland Drive.
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This work will provide a new access to Stockland Glendale and Hunter Sports Centre. It will include a roundabout and new bridge over Winding Creek.
Lake Macquarie mayor Jodie Harrison will turn the first sod to mark the start of construction.
"It's very exciting," Cr Harrison said. "This is a project that people have been talking about for years and years."
Hunter company Daracon won the tender for the road construction, which Cr Harrison said was "fantastic for local jobs".
"This part of the interchange that's starting now will relieve a lot of road congestion experienced around the Glendale-Cardiff area," she said.
Senior Coalition politicians from state and federal levels had told the council they would attend, despite the council being under Labor and independent control.
This raised hopes that bipartisan lobbying would occur for tens of millions of dollars needed to complete the interchange vision.
The interchange struggled to get traction until the NSW Coalition government committed $15 million in 2011.
The former federal Labor government subsequently gave $12.5 million, adding to $10 million in Lake Macquarie council cash.
The entire interchange is expected to cost $135 million.
The proposed $35 million Pennant Street bridge over the railway line is a crucial part of the interchange, but it is not funded.
Stage two of the interchange comprises a railway station and transport interchange, but it is not funded and the Baird government has made no commitment to it.
The Newcastle Herald reported recently that Stockland Glendale plans to double the amount of retail shops in a $60 million plan made in response to the interchange proceeding.
