Major works to begin this year on $4.5bn NSW Great Western Highway

The $4.5 billion Great Western Highway Upgrade in New South Wales will see major construction ramping up this year following the appointment of Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure to carry out works at Medlow Bath. 

The upgrades at Medlow Bath will mark the beginning of the first stage of major works on the Great Western Highway Upgrade between Lithgow and Katoomba. 

“The Great Western Highway upgrade is fast becoming a reality – major work is due to start as soon as March on this project which will be life changing for the thousands of people that use the road every day. 

“The NSW Government has worked hard to ensure this transformative project happens – because we know the difference it will make from the Blue Mountains and beyond,” Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said. 

Works will include widening a 1.2-kilometre section of the highway through Medlow Bath to four lanes. New dedicated right turning lanes will also be built along with a signalised intersection at Bellevue Crescent that includes a new left turning bay and a new pedestrian bridge. 

In early 2023, a site compound for this project is going to be established next to the United Service Station. Works to widen the highway will first be carried out on the eastbound section where a central traffic median is going to be built prior to traffic being moved onto the new section, allowing crews to work on duplicating the westbound lane. 

Construction will begin at the end of 2023 on a new pedestrian bridge, with the entire package of works at Medlow Bath completed by early 2025. 

Artist impression of the pedestrian bridge (source: Transport for NSW)

The Medlow Bath Upgrade will include: 

• Upgrade of the existing highway to a four-lane divided carriageway allowing for two lanes of traffic in each direction, either side of a central median with planted trees 
• Upgrade of the Bellevue Crescent intersection with new turning lanes, U-turn bay and traffic signals 
• A new right turn lane providing access to the Hydro Majestic Hotel 
• Improvements on Railway Parade to formalise parking provisions, U-turns and rail customer parking 
• New indented bus bays on both sides of the highway close to Medlow Bath Station 
• Construction of a new pedestrian bridge, stairs and lifts to provide an accessible path of travel between the bus bays, the Medlow Bath Station platforms and Railway Parade 
• New shared path for pedestrians and cyclists on the western side of the highway 
• Ancillary works such as work associated with local roads, driveways, footpaths, kerbs, gutters and retaining walls, drainage works and relocation of services 

In addition, the State Government is also inviting community feedback on the Blackheath to Little Hartley tunnel Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Transport for NSW (1, 2, 3)