news, local-news, great western highway, blackheath, mount victoria, blue mountains, andrew constance, melinda pavey

The State government has announced plans to bypass Blackheath and Mount Victoria in a $95 million duplication of the Great Western Highway and upgrade of the Bells Line of road corridor. Planning is underway for a 30-kilometre duplication of the Great Western Highway from Katoomba to Forty Bends, NSW roads minister Melinda Pavey and NSW transport minister Andrew Constance announced today (Monday). “This is great news for the people of the Blue Mountains and Central West. From today we are planning the long awaited bypassing of Blackheath and Mount Victoria which will make our roads safer while slashing travel times,” Mrs Pavey said. Andrew Constance also announced a multi-agency taskforce will be assembled in Bathurst to deliver a transport masterplan. “This region will be the first to take part in a community based integrated freight and transport plan which will improve connectivity with the Central West,” Mr Constance said. NSW Regional Infrastructure Coordinator, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, will lead engagement between industry, local government and community. Rick Colless said shovels are ready for a number of projects along the Bells Line of Road corridor including upgrades to Chifley Road at Scenic Hill and Clarence. “We have already invested $48 million on the Bells Line of Road corridor improvement program which included installing overtaking lanes, stabilisng slopes and widening existing lanes to improve safety and travel times for road users,” Mr Colless said.

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Government announces bypass plans for Blackheath and Mount Victoria