The overall Great Western Highway Upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow in New South Wales has reached new major milestones, progressing this $4.5 billion development even closer towards beginning construction.
The New South Wales Government has announced that the multi-billion-dollar project is set to support an additional 1,400 jobs, which takes the total number of jobs to be supported during the construction phase to 3,900.
“We have a new jobs figure for this mammoth project – 3,900 jobs at the peak of construction, which will bolster the building industry here locally for the next decade.
“The history-making Great Western Highway upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow, featuring the country’s longest ever road tunnel, offers a unique opportunity to develop local skills that will deliver economic benefits for many years to come.
“It means thousands of workers will be able to drive this highway once complete, knowing they’ve helped deliver one of the most important road upgrades in our State’s history to ensure safer, faster trips between the Central West and East Coast,” NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said.
The Great Western Highway Upgrade is part of the State Government’s record $110.4 billion infrastructure pipeline that will not only build projects, but also help improve the daily lives of families as well as create thousands of jobs.
According to Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Sam Farraway, the New South Wales Government is focused on creating local employment pathways and upskilling local workforces.
“We are collaborating with industry and training providers to train up local people, to grow the local construction workforce and to leave a skills legacy that will endure far beyond the life of the upgrade program,” Minister Farraway said.
In addition to the announcement of additional jobs, the State Government has also confirmed the 11-kilometre toll-free tunnel that runs from Blackheath to Little Hartley as the preferred option for this section of the Great Western Highway Upgrade.
This option will feature:
“The tunnel will reduce congestion and improve safety for local residents, tourists and freight operators.
“This is a complex, ambitious plan but we’re on track for shovels to hit the ground on the east and west stages of the upgrade early next year because we’re getting on with the job of building a safer, stronger road network across all parts of the state,” the Deputy Premier said.
Consultation phase will continue with Blue Mountains and Central West communities as well as the Wiradjuri, Dharug and Gundungurra communities. Over the coming weeks, a series of face-to-face and online information sessions are going to be held. For more information on the consultations, you can visit the web portal here.
Formal consultation for this project is anticipated to begin later this year once the Environmental Impact Assessment for the twin tunnels is released for exhibition.
Lastly, the community is also being encouraged to have their say on a concept plan and Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the Great Western Highway Upgrade between Katoomba and Blackheath.
“I urge community members to have their say on these plans which will see thousands of road users benefit daily from the planned improvements,” Minister Farraway said.
The Katoomba to Blackheath project is split into two sections, namely:
“The Great Western Highway upgrade will improve safety for the thousands of people living in and travelling through the Blue Mountains on the highway every day.
“This is a heavy traffic route to the Blue Mountains villages of Medlow Bath, Blackheath and Mount Victoria, and then onto the Central West, so it’s important we take on community feedback to ensure we deliver an upgrade locals want and need,” Minister Toole said.
Face-to-face and online information sessions will also be held for this Great Western Highway Upgrade project. You can find more information on the information sessions here.
Sources: NSW Government – Media Releases (1, 2, 3); Transport for NSW (1, 2, 3)