The Premier, Mike Baird and Blue Mountains MP Roza Sage cut the ribbon last week on the new Bullaburra bridge over the highway, delighted to be moving another step closer to a four-lane highway to Katoomba.
But not everyone is so happy. For 88-year-old Bullaburra resident Una King, it's a bridge too far.
"There is no way that many of these residents will be able to climb over the bridge," said Mrs King (main picture).
"People who live in, say, Boronia or Genevieve Road have a long walk to the station and need the easiest possible route to the station platform. Many of these residents are old and/or disabled or have little children. Life is difficult enough without the added burden of having to climb over the bridge."
The opening of the new pedestrian bridge over the highway a fortnight ago means the old pedestrian lights at street level have been covered up. They won't be replaced.
The ramps catering for the less mobile and parents with prams double back on each other three times, connecting the main section across the highway, then there is a further walk to the start of the bridge and, on the other side, to the railway.
The Gazette paced out the distance and clocked up about 400 metres of walking. The more nimble can take the 87 stairs plus another flight of 30 steps down to the train platform.
Mrs King, who lives on the north side of Bullaburra, has to cross the highway at least twice a week to attend meetings of the lapidary club in the community hall. She'll now have to ask someone to pick her up, she said.
"It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen," said Mrs King, gazing up at the enormous engineering of the bridge. "I'm very fit and very able and I find it hard. People on walking frames and with walking sticks and parents with prams, can you imagine how it will be for them?
"We need the traffic lights back."
Mrs King called on residents to contact Seymour White Constructions on 1800 729 838 to lobby for the return of the pedestrian lights. She is also willing to speak to any residents with concerns and can be contacted on 4759 2440.
But Mrs Sage said the upgrade would be a significant boost to Mountains small businesses reliant on visitors from Sydney.
"I made the commitment at the last election that we would fast track work on the Great Western Highway and we have been true to our word," Mrs Sage said.
"I fought for this pedestrian bridge to be completed as part of the Bullaburra East upgrade because it is all about safety and access for the people of this community."
An RMS spokeswoman said the community was consulted in 2012 about the best option for the crossing. She confirmed that the pedestrian lights won't be reinstated and fencing will be installed to encourage people to cross via the bridge.
