GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY CLOSURE
Since March 2026, the Great Western Highway has been diverted due to the closure of Mitchell’s Causeway on Victoria Pass, near Mount Victoria.
The Great Western Highway is the primary road link between Sydney and Western NSW, connecting the Central West to metropolitan markets and services. Approximately 11,000–12,000 vehicles use the corridor daily, including around 2,000 heavy vehicles.
Structural movement and cracking were detected around Mitchell’s Causeway (also known as Convict Bridge) on Thursday 5th March 2026 and this subsequently closed the highway.
The diversion of the Great Western Highway has caused significant issues statewide. Our food, fibre and freight all come from the western parts of the state, and it is now impacting produce getting to market. Hartley, Lithgow, Oberon, Bathurst and the wider Central West are hurting and the NSW Labor Government is only offering limited support.
For more information and to sign up for updates:
FIGHTING FOR OUR FAIR SHARE!
Since the closure of the Great Western Highway and the diversions put in place, I have been fighting for our fair share of support. This has included:
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Getting school bus routes and schedules changed to accommodate the diversions and suit family life better.
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Small business support grants to keep business’s doors open, and get this funding support expanded to more locations.
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More public transport options including more buses and more frequent trains.
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Exemptions for truck drivers and OSMO vehicles so that our state’s freight keeps moving.
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Upgrades to detour routes to make them safer and able to cope with the increase in traffic.
Although construction is now underway to fix Mitchell’s Causeway and reopen Victoria Pass, the work doesn’t stop. Businesses of all sizes need further support to continue operating over this closure and keep locals employed. Lithgow’s streets are taking a beating with all the additional traffic plus we want to ensure that construction work is happening as fast as possible to get this critical highway reopened.
GET SUPPORT
For non-urgent enquiries about the Victoria Pass emergency works, please contact:
PHONE
1800 953 777 (select Option 4)
bluemountains@transport.nsw.gov.au
POST
Great Western Highway Road Closure Victoria Pass
PO Box 334, Parkes NSW 2870.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/gwhvictoriapass
SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/great-western-highway-closure-small-business-support-grant
SUPPORT SERVICES: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2026/gwhvp-reconstruction-authority-support-information-flyer-2026-03-27.pdf
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GETTING TO THE CENTRAL WEST
The Central West is still open and visitors are able to get here!
Find out more:
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
SHOP LOCAL
Choose local businesses whenever you can. They're the ones employing locals, sponsoring our sporting clubs and community events and keeping our towns strong. Even grabbing your morning coffee locally makes a difference.
BRING PEOPLE TO THE REGION
Our region is open for business. Encourage friends and family to visit, explore and support our local attractions, events and festivals.
CHECK IN ON YOUR MATES
This closure is affecting everyone differently. Reach out to friends, neighbours and those doing it tough. A simple conversation can go a long way. Support services are also available - Click here for Support
BE PATIENT ON OUR ROADS
Changing conditions and busy detours are making travel harder. Slow down, be patient and don't take unnecessary risks. Getting everyone home safely is what matters.
KEEP SPEAKING UP
Don't stay silent. If you see safety issues, transport problems or have ideas that could help, let me know. Your feedback helps us keep fighting for practical solutions.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Under the previous Coalition Government, the Great Western Highway upgrade program through the Blue Mountains was proposed to deliver a safer and more reliable corridor between Katoomba and Lithgow, including major upgrades at Victoria Pass.
Prior to the 2023 state election, contracts were signed and works had begun on the Hartley and Medlow Bath sections of road to duplicate the carriageways in preparation for construction of a new tunnel and highway deviation that would bypass steep and dangerous sections of Victoria Pass, including Mitchell’s Causeway.
The road duplication at Hartley and Medlow Bath have been completed whilst the tunnel was scrapped by the NSW Labor Government.
The former NSW Coalition and Federal Coalition Governments committed to a 20/80 funding split for this nationally significant road upgrade and together had provided the first instalment of funding totalling $4.5 billion. This funding has now been funnelled into alternative projects such as road upgrades in Western Sydney and the M1 by the NSW Labor Government.
