DetailsHeading south along the Pacific Motorway (F3) (M1) at Jolls Bridge.
Planning for the freeway began in 1952 but gained impetus in the early 1960s when the Pacific Highway became so choked with traffic that something needed to be done.
The aim was to build a high speed road link between Sydney and Newcastle via the Central Coast. Construction of the first section of the freeway proper started in April 1963 between the Hawkesbury River and Mt White, but it would take another 35 years until the final section was opened near Newcastle.
The Hawkesbury River to Mt White stage was opened in December 1965,this section includes Jolls Bridge, a pair of twin bridges across a section of ridge-top.
There was a 20c toll payable at the toll booths just north of Hawkesbury River between 1965 and 1990.
The freeway has since been widened to 6-lanes for the entire length between Hawkesbury River and Mt White. This widening was completed by May 2004.
The road became commonly known as the F3 from 1974 until 2013 when it became the M1 Pacific Motorway.
