a major extension was completed in 2003 when the 4.5-km fairfield bypass was opened. this connected the southern terminus of the green island motorway with the northern end of the saddle hill section of sh1. there were several delays in construction of this stretch due to the presence of mine workings that created major difficulties in the stabilisation of the land along the route. the saddle hill section was upgraded at this time to a four-lane divided motorway to take advantage of the preparatory earthworks completed in the 1960s.