Another contract awarded for the NSW Great Western Highway Upgrade

New South Wales’ game-changing Great Western Highway upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow stays on track to commencing major construction in March of this year as the project marks a new milestone. 

Ertech has been awarded the contract to undertake the delivery of a new interchange at Cox River Road in Little Hartley. 

“This is another step forward in our plan to deliver a better road through the mountains for the thousands of people who use the Great Western Highway every day. 

“The Cox River Road intersection is at the western foot of the Blue Mountain and is the gateway for thousands of vehicles every day, either making their way over the mountains towards Sydney or towards the Central West. 

“From next month, we’ll see work start to duplicate 2.4 kilometres of existing highway at Little Hartley to create a four-lane divided carriageway and a safer, faster trip for motorists,” Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said. 

The new interchange at Cox River Road will enable motorists to travel safely over the new highway. This project will also include realigning parts of the existing highway to create a local service road along with intersection upgrades at Browns Gap Road and Baaners Lane. 

“These upgrades will reduce highway traffic through the historic township of Little Hartley, making the area more pleasant for locals and visitors alike,” Mr Toole said. 

Works on the new Cox River Road interchange will mark the beginning of the delivery of the western section of the Great Western Highway Upgrade. 

The western section of the upgrade will run from Little Hartley to Lithgow and will feature: 

• Upgrade of around 14 kilometres of the Great Western Highway between Little Hartley and Lithgow to a safer four lane divided highway 
• Provision of service roads for local traffic 
• Safer, controlled access onto the highway 
• Provision of two heavy/light vehicle rest areas 
• New bridges to allow safer, separated intersections for local traffic 
• Upgrade of the existing bridge over River Lett 
• Provision of a westbound climbing (third) lane on River Lett Hill 

“Once completed, the west section is planned to connect to what will be Australia’s longest tunnel between Little Hartley to Blackheath, and continue on through a surface upgrade between Blackheath and Katoomba, more than doubling the highway capacity between Katoomba and Lithgow. 

“The announcement of an award of contract for the Cox River Road interchange is a significant and exciting step forward in the Great Western Highway Upgrade and follows the award of contract for the upgrade of the Medlow Bath section to Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure in December,” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said. 

Early works at Cox River Road commenced last year, involving the relocation of overhead powerlines and underground communication assets to pave the way for major construction. 

The Australian and New South Wales Governments have jointly committed $2.5 billion to deliver the East (Katoomba to Blackheath) and West (Little Hartley to Lithgow) sections of the Great Western Highway Upgrade. 

Source: Transport for NSW (1, 2); NSW Government – Great Western Highway Upgrade West; Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Infrastructure Magazine