As one of the state’s most important transport corridors, the Great Western Highway is a lifeline for commuters, freight operators and travellers heading between Sydney and western New South Wales. But since a major section of the road at Victoria Pass closed earlier this year, communities on both sides of the Blue Mountains have faced lengthy detours and significant disruptions. Now, there is finally some good news on the horizon. The NSW Government has unveiled the first designs for a new bridge that will restore this crucial connection, while also confirming when major construction will get underway. Here’s what we know so far.
New bridge planned for Victoria Pass
The replacement crossing will be built on the same alignment as the existing structure at Mitchell’s Causeway near Little Hartley and is expected to reopen this section of the Great Western Highway by the middle of next year. Rather than relying on the ageing crossing beneath it, the new bridge will stand as an independent structure supported by deep foundations anchored into bedrock.
Importantly, the historic 200-year-old causeway will remain in place and undergo stabilisation works, preserving one of the oldest pieces of transport infrastructure in the region while allowing traffic to once again pass through Victoria Pass. The new bridge has also been designed with the future in mind, incorporating provisions for an additional lane should further upgrades be required down the track.
Major construction on the new crossing is set to begin in July following an accelerated procurement process, with the project expected to restore access to this vital transport route by the second quarter of next year. The closure has had a significant impact on local communities and businesses, with lengthy detours affecting freight movements, tourism and day-to-day travel across the region.
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