Some community members requested the RTA examine the viability of an alternative highway upgrade corridor from Marrangaroo (to the west of Lithgow) to Newnes Plateau, Bell, across the Darling Causeway to east of Mount Victoria (an overall length of approximately 40 kilometres).
The RTA acknowledged this community request and engaged Cardno to investigate the viability of a Newnes Plateau alternative route. Viability considers:
- Will traffic use this route?
- What roughly would it cost?
- Are there any fatal flaws in the corridor that would remove it from further consideration?
The corridor was displayed from 17 November 2008 to 30 January 2009.
The RTA is no longer considering an upgrade using the Newnes Plateau corridor (blue corridor) 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 corridors that a highway would not be compatible with its activities on the base. View correspondence from the Department of Defence.
- The cost of 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.
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