After more than two years of construction, the Great Western Highway upgrade at Little Hartley has officially reached the finish line, marking the completion of a major infrastructure project at the foot of the Blue Mountains.
The $232 million Coxs River Road Upgrade was jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments and has delivered a safer, more efficient four-lane highway for local and through traffic.
The project includes a new 2.4-kilometre stretch of highway, a 70-metre road bridge over the Great Western Highway, upgraded intersections, and more than two kilometres of shared pedestrian and cycle paths.
Improving safety and accessibility for all road users
A Transport for NSW spokesperson says the new infrastructure is already easing congestion and improving travel for both local and regional drivers.
“The Great Western Highway is the key route linking Sydney to the state’s Central West and the Coxs River Road Upgrade is already reducing congestion and improving accessibility for local and highway road users,” the spokesperson says.
The new Coxs River Road bridge includes its own shared path for pedestrians and cyclists, providing a safer crossing point for the community.
“The new bridge takes local traffic quickly and safely over the highway, meaning an end to the long waits that drivers once faced when trying to cross or join the highway, particularly during busy holiday periods,” the spokesperson says.
Supporting local jobs and communities
In addition to the new alignment, the upgrade has created a service road for local businesses, improved intersections at Browns Gap Road, Coxs River Road, Ambermere Drive and Baaners Lane, and added a U-turn bay on Baaners Lane.
Landscaping work has enhanced the appearance of the highway corridor, with native plants and materials chosen by the community to reflect the local environment.
The new highway and bridge were built using locally sourced materials, including concrete from Lithgow and quarry materials from Oberon.
The Coxs River Road Upgrade supported more than 530 jobs during construction, with around 30 per cent of workers coming from nearby local government areas.
For more information, visit the Transport for NSW website.