Safety upgrades are set to begin on the the Great Western Highway at Kirkconnell to deliver faster, safer journeys for all road users on one of the State’s key regional routes.
The NSW and Australian Governments are jointly investing $18.5 million for the safety upgrade which involves widening the existing road to accommodate two metre shoulders, 3.5 metre lanes and a one metre centre line to help prevent head-on collisions.
The intersection safety work includes a dedicated right turn bay from the Great Western Highway onto McManus Road and provision for safe left turning off the highway.
Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW, and Member for Bathurst said these upgrades will create a safer and smoother journey for residents and visitors alike as they travel along this key route between Bathurst and Lithgow.
“The Great Western Highway is the key route linking Sydney with the Central West and everyday thousands of residents, tourists and freight operators travel this section of road between Bathurst and Lithgow,” Mr Toole said.
“The safety of all road users is the number one priority for the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government as we get on with the job of enhancing the road network that families use every day to get to and from work and school quicker and safer.
“Crews will lay a 300mm asphalt pavement for smoother driving, install new edge safety barriers and replace the existing safety barriers through Diamond Swamp, install new kerb and guttering, and install new pavement drainage while extending the existing drainage.
“This upgrade is all about making every journey on the Great Western Highway safer and ensuring motorists and their passengers make it to their destinations safely”.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is securing a brighter future for communities in the Central West by improving the roads communities use every single day.
“Our continued investment in the Great Western Highway shows we are serious about delivering better outcomes for regional communities so families, tourists, truckies and farmers can get to their destination sooner and safer,” Mr Farraway said.
“This is another crucial step as we keep our stSate moving forward by delivering a better road as we have already awarded contracts for major works to begin down the road in Medlow Bath and Little Hartley, which will transform and improve local, tourist and freight travel between Sydney and the Central West.”
Major work is expected to start this month and is expected to take 12 months to complete, weather permitting.