The NSW Government has confirmed the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass will remain closed until at least the second quarter of 2027 after announcing a permanent solution to the failure of the historic Mitchell's Causeway.
The announcement ends months of uncertainty for motorists, freight operators and businesses but confirms communities across the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and the Hawkesbury will face at least another year of altered traffic conditions.
The highway has been closed since March after engineers discovered serious structural instability in the 200-year-old Mitchell's Causeway at Little Hartley, forcing the closure of one of the state's most important transport corridors.
Rather than repairing the ageing convict-built structure, the NSW Government has decided to construct a new bridge supported by deep foundations anchored into bedrock. The historic causeway will be stabilised and preserved as a heritage asset while traffic crosses independently on the new bridge above.
Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the Government had opted for a permanent engineering solution that would provide a safer and more reliable crossing for decades to come.
Major construction is expected to begin this month after Seymour Whyte was awarded the construction contract through an accelerated procurement process.
The bridge has been designed to accommodate two traffic lanes when it opens, with provisions allowing a third lane to be added in the future if required.
The Government expects the Great Western Highway to reopen to traffic sometime between April and June 2027, meaning the closure will have lasted well over a year.
More support for affected businesses
Recognising the ongoing economic impact, the NSW Government has announced an additional $20 million in financial assistance for businesses affected by the closure.
Businesses in Mount Victoria, Hartley, Little Hartley and Hartley Vale experiencing financial hardship will now be eligible for grants of up to $25,000, up from the previous maximum of $10,000.
Support has also been expanded to businesses in Lithgow, Oberon and Blackheath, where grants of up to $10,000 will be available, extending eligibility to an estimated 1,900 additional businesses.
Lithgow Mayor Cass Coleman welcomed the certainty provided by the announcement but said further assistance would still be needed as around 12,000 vehicles continue to use detours through Lithgow each day, placing heavy pressure on local roads and infrastructure.
However, for some businesses, the support has arrived too late. ABC News reported that one long-established Lithgow business has decided to close after 30 years, with its owner saying months of reduced trade had exhausted the business's financial reserves.
Continued impact on the Hawkesbury
For Hawkesbury residents and businesses, the announcement confirms that increased traffic along Bells Line of Road will continue for many more months.
Since Victoria Pass closed in March, freight operators and motorists travelling between Sydney and the Central West have relied heavily on Bells Line of Road through Bilpin, Mount Tomah and Kurrajong Heights.
The additional traffic has increased heavy vehicle movements, extended travel times and placed additional wear on local roads.
The prolonged closure has also affected Hawkesbury tourism operators, accommodation providers, roadside businesses and agricultural producers who rely on reliable freight routes and visitor traffic between Sydney and the Central West.
While the announcement finally provides certainty about the future of Victoria Pass, it also means Hawkesbury communities will need to continue adapting to changed traffic patterns until the new bridge is completed and the Great Western Highway reopens in mid-2027.
