Giant construction firm Theiss announced on Monday that it is all set to commence initial design and construction activities on the eastern section of New South Wales' $825 million Hunter Expressway Project.

Following the contract's finalisation, the construction company has been given the go signal to start work on the 13.3 kilometre stretch that would connect the Newcastle Link Road to Hunter Valley via Kurri Kurri.

Theiss said that Parsons Brinkerhoff and Hyder Consulting would be lending their hands on the project, which is set to reduce by 28 minutes drivers' travelling time between Newcastle and the Hunter.

Thiess managing director David Saxelby is upbeat that once completed, the expressway promises to be an efficient link for cargo deliveries between the Port of Newcastle and the Upper Hunter.

Mr Saxelby added that target completion of the project is December 2013.

On the other hand, Thiess general manager for NSW/ACT Brendan Donohue said that the expressway project poses some technical challenges for the company as he revealed that the path to be established have been assessed to contain possible mine subsidence areas.

Mr Donohue said that the project's eastern section would call for "two million cubic metres of earthworks, three 840 metre long and 40 metre high viaduct bridges over the mine subsidence areas and 16 other bridges."

Thiess revealed that an estimated 700 workers would be working on the project with some additional 180 construction staff and 120 design staff also poised to be hired by the company for its completion.