Vital Blue Mountains highway to be closed for another year as NSW reveals bridge plans
Summary
A key part of the Great Western Highway near Sydney, called Victoria Pass, will stay closed for at least another year. The closure is because of serious cracks found in a 194-year-old bridge, and the government plans to build a new bridge above it. This will cause longer travel times and detours for many people in the Blue Mountains and Central Tablelands areas.Key Facts
- The Victoria Pass section of the Great Western Highway was closed in March due to serious cracks in Mitchells Causeway, also called “Convict Bridge.”
- The bridge is 194 years old and was built by convicts.
- The road closure affects about 12,000 vehicles that used the bridge daily.
- The NSW government will build a new bridge above the old one, with construction starting soon.
- The road is expected to reopen between April and June next year.
- The new bridge could have an extra lane in the future, which the old bridge could not support.
- The government added $20 million in financial help for small businesses affected and will provide free coach services and spend $50 million to improve detour routes.
- Local leaders and experts explained that the area’s steep and difficult terrain makes expansion work hard, and the plan to build a new independent bridge is the best solution now.
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