Planning progresses on $100m suite of upgrades on Bells Line of Road

A $100 million suite of upgrades is a step closer to being delivered on one of the most historic roads in New South Wales – Bells Line of Road – as the contract to assess the road and develop strategic options is awarded to Civil Consulting and Highway Design (CCHD). 

Not only are traffic numbers increasing on the Bells Line of Road in recent years, but it has also been heavily impacted by extreme weather from floods to fires. 

“The Bells Line of Road is a key link between Lithgow and the Hawkesbury, through the north of the Blue Mountains. 

“As local tourism businesses in Bilpin and surrounding regions boom, the road is getting busier and ensuring it has the necessary safety resilience improvements is essential. 

“The Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s most beloved national parks, so as we proceed, we’ll ensure the future upgrades are designed to minimise heritage and conservation impacts,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

The award of the tender to undertake investigation and identification of a strategic upgrade option follows the Australian Government’s announcement in 2023 that it will fund safety upgrades to this key route through the Blue Mountains. 

A range of improvements are being considered including new overtaking lanes, realigning curves, installing safety barriers and intersection upgrades. 

“Through bushfires, storms and floods, we’ve seen just how vital the Bells Line of Road is for locals, including the businesses who rely on customers being able to reach them. 

“Ensuring this road is safe and reliable, while respecting the world heritage conservation area across the Blue Mountains National Park will keep our region connected, and deliver on works our community has advocated for, for a long time,” Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said. 

“It’s important that this vital project has reached the point where shortlisted improvements will be released for community consultation by the end of the year. When that time comes, I encourage everyone to take part and have their say,” State Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle said. 

Participating councils as well as other targeted stakeholders will be thoroughly consulted to ensure that there is a complete understanding of local priorities, plans and options to provide a safer, more resilient and reliable transport network for all road users. 

Further development will be required in future stages. The wider community and other stakeholders will be consulted on a proposed shortlist of projects by the end of this year. 

“The Bells Line of Road is an important connection for motorist, and we are grateful to the Australian Government for their commitment and support to improving resilience and safety in the Blue Mountains. 

“The road is very vulnerable to closures from bushfires and landslips, which result in delays for motorists and makes it difficult to manage traffic during incidents. 

“It also has a crash rate higher than other similar NSW roads. 

“Transport for NSW will engage with local councils and other targeted stakeholders to make sure that options put forward align with council and community aspirations. 

“This will help ensure that upgrades will benefit both local traffic, and the commuters, tourists and freight operators who travel along it every day. 

“There has been a substantial planning and engagement on the corridor in recent years, and Transport for NSW will draw on this knowledge – as well as valuable input from local experts – in identifying upgrade options,” NSW Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said. 

Balls Line of Road concept map (source: Transport for NSW)

The initial planned improvements include: 

• Site 1: a westbound overtaking lane, on Bells Line of Road, four kilometres west of Kurrajong Heights 

• Site 2: an eastbound overtaking lane, east of Glenara Road and Pittmans Road, Kurrajong Heights 

• Site 3: a westbound overtaking lane, starting 300 metres west of Tadrosse Lane, Bilpin 

• Site 4: a westbound overtaking lane, 8.5 kilometres west of Kurrajong Heights 

• Site 6: an eastbound overtaking lane, 100 metres west of Mount Tootie Road 

• Site 7: a westbound overtaking lane, between Old Bells Line of Road and Berambing Crescent 

• Site 8: widening the road in both directions and creating a centre median, between 800 metres north of Pierces Pass turn off, continuing toward Bell for 1.4 kilometres 

• Site 9: widening the east and westbound lanes about 4.2 kilometres east of Darling Causeway 

• Site 10: widening the east and westbound lanes about 2 kilometres east of Darling Causeway 

• Site 11: an eastbound overtaking lane 11 kilometres west of Bell 

• Slope improvements at Mount Tomah 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Transport for NSW (1, 2); Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Infrastructure Magazine