Mount Victoria to Lithgow - upgrade of the Great Western Highway

Welcome to the Mount Victoria to Lithgow upgrade of the Great Western Highway website.

The Federal and NSW governments, with the community, are investigating this section of the Great Western Highway to determine the preferred alignment for an upgrade.

A highway upgrade would:

• Improve road safety.
• Improve road freight efficiency.
• Cater for the mix of through, local and tourist traffic.
• Be sensitive to the area’s natural environment, heritage and local communities.

Four modified corridors confirmed April 2009 for further investigation

Any route identified within the four modified corridors will:

• Bypass the village of Mount Victoria.
• Bypass River Lett Hill.
• Replace the steep grades of Victoria Pass.

View an image of the four modified corridors here.

To find out information about community involvement and display venues click here.

The RTA is no longer considering an upgrade using the Newnes Plateau corridor

The RTA is no longer considering an upgrade in the Newnes Plateau corridor area as:

• The Department of Defence has indicated it has a long term commitment to the Marrangaroo Army Base that provides essential facilities. This 1338 hectare site area covers the entire width of the blue corridor.  This base is used for specialist personnel and disposing ammunition.  Defence is very clear in its response to the displayed corridors that a highway would not be compatible with its activities on the base. View correspondence from the Department of Defence.
• The cost to the Federal Government to relocate this base would be very high.  The relocation cost would be in addition to the cost for a route within the Newnes Plateau corridor.
• View the Newnes Plateau corridor.

Submissions received in response to the corridors display

Corridors were displayed from 17 November 2008 to 30 January 2009. The RTA received 462 submissions from residents, business operators, community groups, agencies, councils and other interested parties.

• Read the Submissions Report.

Field investigations

The RTA and its contractors will be in the field from April 2009 for geotechnical, hydrology, noise, urban design, ecology, heritage and other investigations.  These investigations will be used to help develop route options.  We will coordinate visits to individual properties as much as possible to minimise disruption. You may see staff out and about. All staff will carry identification.

No investigations will be done on private property without prior permission.

If you have any questions about the field investigations please phone 1800 035 733 (toll free).

To read an RTA fact sheet on accessing private property, click here.

Get involved in designing route options

For more information click here.