MEDIA RELEASE
27 November 2009
MOUNT VICTORIA TO LITHGOW ROUTE OPTIONS
An RTA spokesperson said community participants and local stakeholders have met
with the RTA and technical advisers this week in the latest step towards selecting the
route for the upgrade of the Great Western Highway between Mt Victoria and
Lithgow.
In August, then Minister for Roads Michael Daley announced that route options were
only being developed in the “orange” corridor which generally follows the existing
Great Western Highway.
”A two day value management workshop was held at Lithgow on Wednesday 25 and
Thursday 26 November to assess the various options against a range of criteria and
to identify areas for further investigation within the “orange” corridor.
“The RTA will now consider the feedback and complete more investigations focusing
on economic, environmental, engineering, community and other issues.
“It is important to note that the workshop’s outcome is not a final decision on the
preferred route. The workshop is one of several inputs in identifying the preferred
route.
The workshop recommended:
The long tunnel option to bypass the main village of Mt Victoria and Victoria Pass
The bypass to the south of Little Hartley (the Harp of Erin/Ambermere bypass)
The southern alignment at River Lett Hill
Upgrade the existing alignment at Forty Bends
“The workshop participants also asked the RTA to investigate modifications and
improvements to the recommended route options.
“These further investigations, along with community feedback, technical reports and
field investigations, comments from government agencies and the results of the value
management workshop will now be considered in identifying the preferred route.
“A recommendation on the preferred route will be made to the NSW Minister for
Transport and that preferred route will then be displayed for further comment and
refinement.
“An announcement on the preferred route is expected by Easter 2010. The RTA will
continue to keep the community informed and involved as the planning for the Mount
Victoria to Lithgow upgrade progresses,” the spokesperson said.
“The NSW Government has no plans to allow B-Double trucks longer than 19 metres
to use the Great Western Highway across the Blue Mountains.”
CONTACT:
RTA Media Unit 8588 5999
NEWS 
