The upgrade of the highway in Blackheath should be finished by Christmas
Highway upgrades at Blackheath should be completed by Christmas, according to the Roads and Maritime Service.
An RMS spokeswoman told the Gazette: "The Great Western Highway safety improvements through Blackheath are on track to open to traffic by the end of 2019, weather permitting.
"Crews are in the final stages of construction, including asphalting and landscaping."
Extensive plantings have been carried out including in front of the mock rock wall which caused some consternation when it was unveiled recently. A row of bottlebrushes has now been planted in front of it and the original painting toned down.
Further into town there's a new row of maples which should provide rich autumn colour.
The old Blackheath sign has been put back, relocated near Sutton Park with a dry rock wall at its base. A number of rhododendrons will be planted around it.
The RMS told the Gazette in September that the project was coming in under its $36 million budget. The projected cost at that time was $28.4m but a spokeswoman said this week the final cost won't be known until all work is completed.
The Blackheath Alliance has resolved to ask the RMS to spend any surplus on speed calming measures through the town and landscaping of the town entry sign at the western end.
The Alliance also wants the funds used to instal protected right-turn lanes on the highway at Medlow Bath, which was part of the original Katoomba-Lithgow upgrade but later set aside.
Meantime, the Blackheath Highway Action Group has called a town meeting for next Thursday (November 21) at 7pm in the community hall to discuss the proposed four-lane highway duplication announced by the RMS last week.
BAG is urging residents and business owners to attend.
