The existing 2.4 kilometre length of the Great Western Highway is generally a two lane highway with eight intersections. The intersections at Littlebourne Street, Boyd Street and Gilmour Street already have traffic lights. The speed limit is 60 km/h along the length. The Great Western Highway is not continuously kerbed and guttered and not all sections have paved footpaths. The roadside includes power poles, street lighting, overhead wires, stormwater drains and driveways.

The Great Western Highway crosses the Boyd Creek waterway in two places: there is a culvert about 100 metres west of Ashworth Drive and a bridge about 500 metres west of the culvert.

The proposed upgrade is a result of various factors:

• Traffic congestion at peak times on the highway.
• Growth of Kelso with future residential developments.
• Future commercial and industrial development.

A preliminary options plan was displayed for public comment in late 2010 and a report on the community issues and ideas raised is available on the project documents page.

A preferred concept design was displayed for public comment in late 2011 and a report on the community issues and ideas raised is available on the project documents page.  For details on the preferred concept, click here.