The Great Western Highway is one of Australia’s most historic roads and a key east-west connection out of Sydney. Over the last 100 years, the NSW Government has progressively upgraded sections of the highway to make it safer and more reliable.
In 2019 the NSW Government committed $2.5 billion to the duplication of the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow, a project that complete the final 34 kilometres of a modern dual-carriageway link over the entire Blue Mountains.
In 2021 the Federal Government committed a further $2.03 billion towards upgrading the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Blackheath, and between Little Hartley and Lithgow.
In 2018, $30 million was announced to upgrade the highway between Kelso and Raglan.
Important safety improvements have been delivered through the safety upgrade program along the Highway at Blackheath, Mount Victoria and Forty Bends. This work has seen improved road surfaces, intersection upgrades and lane widening delivered as part of the $250 million investment by the Australian and NSW governments.
Projects
Projects
Latest news
FEB
2022
FEB 2022Environmental assessment for Blue Mountains communities
The environmental assessments for the Great Western Highway duplication between Katoomba and Blackheath will be considered and determined together to capture all potential impacts of the upgrade.
More informationView the media release for more information.
NOV
2021
NOV 2021Have your say on the Great Western Highway upgrade
The community is invited to have its say on the environmental assessment and concept design for the West section of the transformative Great Western Highway upgrade between Little Hartley and Lithgow.
More informationView the media release for more information.
NOV
2021
NOV 2021Flora & fauna field work starts along future GWH tunnel
corridor
A team of ecologists are documenting local wildlife and plants in the Blue Mountains and Hartley Valley, to ensure impacts to local flora and fauna are minimised.
More informationView the media release for more information.
SEP
2021
SEP 2021Historic Blue Mountains Tunnel a step closer
Plans to build Australia’s longest road tunnel between Blackheath and Little Hartley are powering ahead, with a major contract awarded for the environmental assessment.
More informationAECOM Australia had been selected in a competitive tender process to work on the proposed 11-kilometre tunnel, a central component of the Great Western Highway upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow.
View the media release for more information.
AUG
2021
AUG 2021Air quality monitoring station installation
Transport for NSW is installing three air quality monitoring stations at key points along the proposed Great Western Highway Upgrade corridor. The air quality monitoring stations will gather information about the existing air quality and are expected to be in place for 12 to 18 months.
More information- View the media release
- View the Air quality monitoring stations fact sheet (PDF, 256Kb)
- View the Air quality fact sheet (PDF, 505Kb)
JUN
2021
JUN 2021Great Western Highway upgrade powering ahead
Construction on the game-changing Great Western Highway upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow is on track to start next year, with the Australian and New South Wales Governments now committing funding towards congestion-busting improvements to the journey over the Blue Mountains.
More informationView the media release for more information.
Documents
Media releases
| File | Title | Size |
|---|---|---|
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14 June 2021
Safer passage through Medlow Bath ahead of full highway upgrade |
25.7Kb | |
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14 June 2021
Great Western Highway upgrade powering ahead |
26.96Kb | |
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28 May 2021
$8.5 million road safety investment extends to Meadow Flat School |
22.1Kb |
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like more information please contact our project team:
Phone: 1800 953 777
Email: gwhd@transport.nsw.gov.au
Post: Great Western Highway - PO Box 2332, Orange NSW 2800