Western region

Katoomba to Lithgow - upgrade of the Great Western Highway

Great Western Highway, east of Medlow Bath towards Katoomba

The Mount Victoria to Lithgow project has been renamed Katoomba to Lithgow. The new project name reflects the expanded scope of the Mount Victoria to Lithgow upgrade to incorporate safety upgrades between Katoomba and Mount Victoria. Click on the menu on the left hand side to view details about each of the upgrade projects.

The community information number will still be 1800 035 733 (toll free).

There is a new project email address, K2Lupgrade@rms.nsw.gov.au

The Australian and NSW governments are investing $250 million to upgrade the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow. Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is managing these projects.

Latest news - April 2013 - Final concept design

Thank you to everyone who responded to the invitation to comment on the concept design for the upgrade of the Great Western Highway between Mount Victoria and Lithgow. Following consideration of feedback from the community and stakeholders, the concept design for the future upgrade of the highway has now been completed.

RMS has agreed to a number of changes to the concept design and the road boundaries have been refined, based on the final concept design. More information is available on the concept design page. The following project documents can be viewed or downloaded on the concept design documents page of this website:

  • Mount Victoria to Lithgow Final Concept Design Plan - April 2013.
  • Mount Victoria to Lithgow Concept Design, Completion Report - April 2013.
  • Mount Victoria to Lithgow Concept Design, Community and Stakeholder Feedback Report - April 2013.

Next steps

RMS will now provide the road boundaries to Blue Mountains City Council and Lithgow City Council for inclusion in their local environmental plans.

Forty Bends upgrade

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the review of environmental factors (REF) for the Forty Bends upgrade. RMS has approved the proposal and determined that the upgrade should proceed with six main design refinements. More information is available on the Forty Bends upgrade page. The Forty Bends Submissions Report can be viewed or downloaded on the Forty Bends upgrade documents page of this website.

The three lane upgrade at Forty Bends has been prioritised as the first stage to proceed to construction. This will help reduce crashes and road closures due to black ice and generally improve safety and reliability for travellers. Construction is expected to start in 2014.

Recent news - March 2013 - Safety upgrades

RMS has reviewed the community feedback about feasibility plans for the Hartley Valley and Mount Victoria village safety upgrades. More information is available on the safety upgrades page. Community feedback reports have been prepared which summarise the feedback received from the community. The reports can be viewed or downloaded on the safety upgrade documents page of this website.