19 May 2020

Easing congestion along the Great Western Highway through the Central West has been given the planning green light, with the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) released for the Great Western Highway Kelso to Raglan upgrade project.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the project would deliver a dual lane highway from Bathurst to beyond Raglan and improve travel efficiency by delivering a wider road that had safer turning opportunities.

“The release of the REF means the project has official planning approval to proceed to the construction phase and will be able to proceed once the necessary property acquisitions have been made,” Mr Toole said.

“Once complete, this upgrade will provide motorists with better access to Bathurst airport, an improved and longer-lasting road surface and increased safety, especially at intersections.

“While we are asking people to cancel any non-essential travel during the evolving coronavirus situation, we are glad to be powering ahead with this and other vital infrastructure projects, because we understand their long-term value to local communities. The NSW Government has invested $30 million as part of the Great Western Highway upgrade because we remain committed to delivering a safer, faster route from Sydney to the Central West.”

In response to public submissions, and as part of further design development since the community drop-in sessions, five significant changes have been made to the original concept design, including: 

• Installing traffic lights at PJ Moodie Drive and Eugenie Street intersection
• Flood detention basin north of Nelson Street and an enhanced drainage system across the highway at Nelson Street
• Improving three property accesses
• Restricting the U-Turn bay in Eugenie Street to vehicles up to 8.8 metres in length
• Refinement of landscaping design to retain views and the avenue effect.

Field investigations have been completed, and project notification signage will be installed in the coming months. Property negotiations are ongoing, with Transport for NSW staff working closely with property owners to determine when construction starts.

For more information on the project and a copy of the REF, visit  Great Western Highway Kelso to Raglan.