The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) at the request of the Federal Department of Transport (DoT), has completed investigations for a new highway corridor between the F3 Freeway at the Newcastle Link Road and the New England Highway west of Branxton. This route has been planned to serve as the major long term road transport artery for travel through the Lower Hunter Valley. This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared to investigate the feasibility and potential impacts of the proposed 39km high standard dual carriageway.