The NSW Government is today providing certainty for communities impacted by the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass announcing the successful contractor to deliver a new, more durable crossing at Mitchells Causeway.
Major construction is expected to begin in July, and the road is expected to reopen in the second quarter of next year. The Government is also announcing an expanded package of support for local businesses affected by the closure.
The NSW Government knows that the uncertainty of the past few months has been incredibly difficult for local communities.
While this process has taken time, there could be no shortcuts when it came to understanding the cause of the failure and determining the safest long-term solution.
Minister for roads Jenny Aitchison says she understands how difficult the past few months have been for families, businesses, freight operators and everyone who relies on this road every day.
“In 109 days, we have completed thorough geotechnical testing, convened a global industry roundtable, run an accelerated procurement process with leading Australian and international engineering experts, and finalised both the contract and the solution to reopen this road,” she says.
“Today’s news will not be easy to hear. I know it will mean sitting down at the kitchen table, working out how your family moves around and what the next year looks like in practice.
“But I want to reinforce what this also means: we have a timeline, contractor and major construction on the new crossing beginning in July. In tandem, the detour routes are being upgraded to make your journeys safer and easier going forward.
“The NSW Government will not apply a band-aid fix. We are building a new crossing designed to serve local communities and freight for the next 100 years – because this community deserves a permanent solution, not a temporary fix.”
Following an accelerated procurement process, Seymour Whyte has been selected to construct a new crossing that will restore the connection between the Blue Mountains and Central West while improving its long-term resilience.
Extensive geotechnical investigations carried out over the past few months were critical to the procurement process, providing the evidence needed to develop the proposal for the safest and fastest reopening.
The investigations confirmed the bedrock beneath Mitchells Causeway remains stable, enabling a design that builds on the existing crossing, rather than replacing it entirely.
The new crossing will see a bridge structure built over the existing Mitchells Causeway, supported by deep piles anchored into the stable bedrock below.
The new structure will sit above, but independently of the convict-built causeway, which will be stabilised as part of the work. While the priority is restoring this vital transport link as quickly and safely as possible, the new crossing has also been designed to meet the region’s future needs.
It will be capable of accommodating an additional lane in the future, something that was never possible with the existing roadway.
Major construction will begin as soon as possible in July, with specialist engineering and construction teams undertaking drilling, grouting and heavy piling activities to establish the deep foundations that will support a new, reliable and resilient crossing.
Transport for NSW will continue to provide the community with regular construction updates as work progresses on the new crossing. Additional support for small businesses The NSW Government understands the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass has and will continue to have a significant impact on local businesses and communities.
The NSW Government is today announcing an additional $20 million funding package which will increase the financial support available to small businesses most acutely affected and expand the number of businesses eligible for this financial assistance.
The package includes:
• Increasing the grant amount available to small businesses experiencing financial hardship in Mount Victoria, Hartley, Little Hartley and Hartley Vale from $10,000 up to $25,000.
• Expanding support to eligible businesses experiencing financial hardship to a wider area including suburbs in Lithgow, Oberon and Blackheath for grants of up to $10,000.
This support will be in addition to the measures already announced including broader tourism initiatives and one-on-one business advisory services and workshops that assist with contingency planning, cashflow and business adaptation.
The NSW Government is also working with the organisers of major upcoming events in the region to minimise the impacts of the closure while construction of the new crossing is underway.
The uplift in public transport services, including extra rail, coach and bus services for Blue Mountains and Central West communities will continue for the duration of the closure.
Today’s announcement provides greater certainty for communities, with a contractor appointed, a clear construction plan, support for local businesses and a clear pathway to reopening this critical connection.