The state and federal governments will fund essential safety upgrades on the Great Western Highway through the historic village of Mount Victoria.
The upgrades will include shoulder and road widening, alignment and intersection improvements, and protected right turn bays from west of Browntown Oval to west of Mount York Road.
MP for Macquarie, Louise Markus, said both governments wanted to ensure concerns about Mount Victoria’s sense of place and atmosphere were addressed.
“There has been some concern about the upgraded highway affecting the atmosphere of the village, so the community consultation aspect of this next phase is particularly welcome,” she said.
State MP for the Blue Mountains, Roza Sage, said she was helping bring stakeholders together in recent weeks for open discussions about the project.
“Both governments are working closely with the Blue Mountains City Council and the community to deliver these vital upgrades the community expects and deserves,” Mrs Sage said.
“This next phase will involve further community consultation, environmental assessment, detailed design and property acquisition.”
Mrs Markus said it was important to get the Mount Vic safety project “shovel ready”.
“The Australian government has committed $200 million and the NSW Government has committed $50 million to complete the upgrades between Katoomba and Lithgow,” Mrs Markus said.
The recent Federal budget confirmed the government’s $5.7 million commitment to the jointly funded $11.4 million planning and development of the Mount Victoria village safety works project.
Mrs Sage said the highway would be upgraded with extra safety measures at specific locations along a 2.3 kilometre section through Mount Victoria.
“The highway is the main road link between Sydney and Lithgow and an important freight route between Sydney and central NSW,” Mrs Sage said.