MEDIA RELEASE
23 OCTOBER 2009
MOUNT VICTORIA TO LITHGOW ROUTE OPTIONS
An RTA spokesperson said the Australian and NSW governments have announced
the route options for the upgrade of the Great Western Highway between Mt Victoria
and Lithgow.
“The route options have been developed in the ’orange’ corridor which generally
follows the existing Great Western Highway.
“There are alternative routes included at Mount Victoria, Little Hartley, River Lett Hill
and Forty Bends.
“There are three route options which would provide a bypass of the main village of
Mount Victoria. They include viaducts and/or a tunnel along routes generally to the
north of the village and north of the existing highway.
“The tunnel options would go under Mount York Road.
“At Little Hartley, the route options include a possible realignment of the highway
which would avoid impact on the heritage listed Harp of Erin.”
The spokesperson said the route options for bypassing River Lett Hill include a new
crossing of River Lett and new sections of road which would eliminate the bends on
this part of the highway.
“The proposed routes at Forty Bends include realignments to provide a straighter
highway without the bends and rises and dips.
“These route options would improve the safety of this section of the Great Western
Highway.”
The spokesperson said the community now has an opportunity to study the route
options in detail and provide feedback.
“The display of the route options can be viewed at Blue Mountains, Lithgow and
Oberon councils; the Lithgow and Katoomba libraries and the Lithgow Motor
Registry.”
The RTA will hold three information meetings, as follows:
Saturday 31 October 2pm to 4pm, Mount Victoria Public School
Wednesday 4 November noon to 2pm, Hartley school building, Hartley
Wednesday 4 November 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Hartley school building, Hartley
The spokesperson said there will also be an opportunity for the community and key
stakeholders to nominate themselves to take part in a value management workshop
on 25 and 26 November 2009.
“An independent facilitator will conduct this workshop to discuss the route options
and develop a shared understanding of which option provides the best balance
across social, environmental, economic and engineering issues,” the spokesperson
said.
“Another meeting will be held at Hartley school building on 30 November from 6.30 to
8pm to report back on the value management workshop.
“When a preferred route option is selected, a recommendation will be made to the
NSW Minister for Transport and that preferred route will then be displayed for further
comment and refinement.
“The NSW Government has no plans to allow B-Double trucks more than 19 metres
long to use the Great Western Highway across the Blue Mountains.”
To speak to a member of the project team call 1800 035 733 toll free.
CONTACT:
RTA Media Unit 8588 5999
NEWS 
