The New South Wales Government has committed $50 million to strengthen detour routes following the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass, as geotechnical instability continues to disrupt a key freight and commuter corridor.
The funding will support upgrades along Darling Causeway, Chifley Road and Main Street in Lithgow, which are now carrying increased traffic volumes, including more freight and motorists unfamiliar with the mountain roads.
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison says the investment is focused on maintaining safety and network performance during the disruption.
“This $50 million package is focused on improving the safety, resilience and reliability of the corridors now carrying significantly more traffic as a result of the closure,” Jenny says.
Works are already underway, with more than 6,000 square metres of patching completed on Chifley Road and over 1,500 tonnes of asphalt laid on Darling Causeway in the past fortnight. Crews have also undertaken shoulder widening and refreshed line markings to support traffic flow.
“We are moving quickly to strengthen detour routes, supporting affected communities, and continuing the engineering and planning work needed to determine the best path forward,” Jenny says.
The closure has been in place since 12 March after serious cracking and ground movement were detected at Mitchell’s Causeway. Ongoing investigations have confirmed the site remains unstable and unsafe for traffic.
Transport for NSW continues engineering analysis and geotechnical testing to determine a long-term repair solution.
Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle says the funding will support communities managing the disruption.
“This closure is putting real pressure on communities across the Blue Mountains, so this funding is an important step to help keep people moving safely and support the region through the disruption,” Trish says.
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