This section of the BANC website has been created to provide members and the general community information about what is being done to manage the challenges created by the closure of Victoria Pass due to major risks with safety at the convict built bridge section.
Community Update
More than 6,000 trips clocked up on free coaches over the Blue Mountains
More than 6,000 free trips have now been taken on NSW TrainLink’s free coach shuttle services across the Blue Mountains, supporting communities as work continues to restore the road at Victoria Pass. With the closure of Victoria Pass on the Great Western Highway causing longer journeys, detours and changed routines for residents and businesses, these free services offer an additional travel option that helps ease pressure on both local trips and longer regional journeys. Operating between Katoomba, Blackheath, Mount Victoria, Lithgow and Bathurst, the coach shuttles provide a reliable way to travel for work, appointments or everyday needs.
View the media release for more information.
One of the NSW TrainLink free coach shuttle services helping to ferry passengers across the Blue Mountains.
Signage improved along the detour route and through Lithgow
Transport’s maintenance crews have been hard at work completing important works to improve the detour route and roads through Lithgow. These crews have recently completed a package of works that saw 150 signs upgraded across the route, leading to improved safety and better wayfinding.
Traffic signals have also been upgraded at the intersection of Mort Street and Bridge Street in Lithgow with the early results of this showing the signals are now operating more efficiently.
Asphalt works are continuing along the detour for the next two weeks before we pause for the cooler weather in August. Our crews will return to complete the asphalting in September.
An example of the upgrade signs that have been installed along the detour route and through Lithgow.
New business support package offered by Service NSW
Your business may be eligible to receive free advisory support to help you manage the ongoing effects of the Great Western Highway road closure at Victoria Pass.
This specialised business assistance program will connect you with an independent advisor experienced in helping businesses navigate unexpected disruptions and recover.
Until 9 September, you can get tailored, one-on-one consultation on issues ranging from:
• trading through disruptions
• creating new pathways for customer interaction
• managing cash flow and debt
• overcoming supply chain challenges
• managing contracts and commitments
• responding to staff impacts
• exploring opportunities to diversify
• planning for when the road reopens.
Provided by the NSW Government, this support is available to businesses with fewer than 20 employees, located in the relevant Blue Mountains and Central West regions.
After you register, an advisor from an independent service provider will call you to book your first session. For more information and to check your eligibility go here.
Contract awarded to reopen Great Western Highway, with further relief for impacted businesses
The NSW Government has appointed Seymour Whyte to deliver a new, more durable crossing at Mitchells Causeway, providing certainty for communities affected by the Great Western Highway closure at Victoria Pass. Major construction begins in July, with the road expected to reopen in the second quarter of next year.
Extensive investigations confirmed the bedrock beneath the causeway is stable, enabling a new bridge to be built above the existing convict built structure. The design also allows for a future additional lane.
Specialist engineering teams will begin drilling, grouting and heavy piling from July, and Transport for NSW will continue to provide regular updates.
The NSW Government recognises the ongoing impact on local businesses and communities. Construction is being delivered alongside expanded financial assistance, advisory support and additional public transport services for Blue Mountains and Central West communities.
The Government is also working with organisers of major upcoming events to help minimise disruption during the closure.
For more information, visit the NSW Government media release here.
Supporting local businesses through the Great Western Highway closure
The NSW Government is committed to supporting communities affected by the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass. A $3.5 million support package is now available to help small businesses and councils manage ongoing disruption, including financial assistance and tailored advisory support.
The Government is also announcing an expanded support package for local businesses most affected by the closure.An additional $20 million in funding will increase financial assistance for eligible small businesses and broaden the areas included in the program. The package includes:
• Higher hardship grants of up to $25,000 for eligible small businesses in Mount Victoria, Hartley, Little Hartley and Hartley Vale.
• Wider eligibility for grants up to $10,000 for businesses in parts of Lithgow, Oberon and Blackheath.
Eligibility criteria and application details are available through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority: https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/gwh
These measures complement broader tourism initiatives and one on one business advisory services already supporting local operators with planning, cashflow and business adaptation.
For more information, visit the NSW Government media release: Here
Eligibility for the small business support program is expanded to other Central West local government areas.
Upcoming Engagement Sessions
Information stalls
Visit a pop-up information stall to meet the Transport for NSW and Reconstruction Authority teams and ask any questions you might have.
Saturday 4 July
• Oberon Farmers Market, 9:00am – 11:00am
Oberon Showground, Oberon
• Lithgow Valley Plaza, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Pottery Estate, Lithgow
• Mount Victoria Anglican Hall, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
79 Great Western Highway, Mount Victoria
Sunday 5 July
• Hartley School and Community Hall, 9:30am – 12:00pm
Hartley Community Hall, Mid Hartley Road, Little Hartley
Support services
Local support is available and you don’t need a GP referral.
The Community Engagement and Resilience team from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District can work with you to support your wellbeing and help manage the impacts you may be experiencing.
For young people aged 12–25, headspace Lithgow offers free, face-to-face information, support and, where appropriate, treatment for a range of health and wellbeing issues.
Stay up to date
For advice about road closures or changes to conditions on the detour route, subscribe to receive SMS alerts.
For real time traffic updates, follow the incident on the Live Traffic website.
Thank you for your patience as we complete these critical road repairs.
Managing traffic during peak periods
We know the recent long weekend was challenging for many in the community, with significant congestion through Lithgow, and local streets heavily impacted. We understand how frustrating and disruptive this was for residents trying to go about their daily lives.
In some cases, online mapping and navigation apps directed drivers through local streets. These apps don’t always recognise congestion on smaller local roads, which meant more traffic was diverted through the town and added to the pressure.
Transport is reviewing what occurred and what we’ve learned, so we can better manage traffic during peak periods, including upcoming holiday and event travel.
We will continue working closely with Lithgow City Council and NSW Police to identify practical solutions to improve traffic flow and reduce impacts on local communities, especially for peaks like this
Lithgow experienced a lot of congestion at the end of the June long weekend.
Business support workshops underway
The NSW Small Business Commission, in partnership with the Service NSW Business Bureau are presenting series of workshops to support small businesses impacted by the closure of Victoria Pass on the Great Western Highway.
These sessions provide practical tools, advice and information to help businesses navigate ongoing challenges.
Upcoming sessions include:
• Mt Victoria and Lithgow – 15 June
• Hartley – 16 June
• Oberon – 17 June
• Blackheath – 24 June
The Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) will attend sessions in Mt Victoria, Lithgow and Hartley to provide information on available support.
We encourage local businesses to attend and connect with experts and support services.
Find out more and reserve your spot at www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/gwh-closure
Drive safely in Blue Mountains winter conditions
Winter driving in the Blue Mountains can be especially hazardous, with fog, frost and black ice common.
Wet or icy roads increase the risk of a crash—even on familiar routes. Please slow down, keep a safe distance and brake gently to maintain control.
Be cautious of black ice, which is difficult to see and can form overnight or remain during the day in shaded areas.
Use headlights in rain or low visibility, switch on fog lights when needed, and always follow warning signs and advisory speeds.
Plan ahead and check road conditions using Live Traffic NSW before you travel.
Black ice can be difficult to spot, so slow down in winter conditions.
Looking after your mental health
We know the highway closure is placing extra pressure on daily life, and it’s important to take care of your mental health during this time.
Local support is available and you don’t need a GP referral.
The Community Engagement and Resilience team from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District can work with you to support your wellbeing and help manage the impacts you may be experiencing.
For young people aged 12–25, headspace Lithgow offers free, face-to-face information, support and, where appropriate, treatment for a range of health and wellbeing issues.
Reaching out for support—whether through local services, friends or family—can make a real difference during challenging periods.
Free local mental health support is available.
Have your say
The Reconstruction Authority (RA) and Transport for NSW (Transport) have launched the Have Your Say portal to allow community members to provide online feedback about how the closure of the Great Western Highway is impacting their community or business.
Have your say at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/gwhvictoriapass
For more information about what support is available, contact the NSW Reconstruction Authority at or phone 02 9212 9200.
Situation Report as at 3 June 2026
Transport for NSW is providing regular report of activities associated with the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass.
A Great Western Highway Community Coordination Taskforce has also been established, that includes other Government agencies and Local Councils.
This report is also provided to the taskforce, who will incorporate the information within their broader multi-agency updates.
These updates are provided weekly or following any significant change to the current situation.
Please click here to read the situation report for 3 June 2026.
Community Update
Bells Line of Road truck parking bay to open for heavy vehicle drivers at Bilpin
Transport for NSW (Transport) will work with Hawkesbury Council to reopen a truck parking bay on Bells Line of Road near Bilpin, giving drivers another place to stop, rest and manage fatigue.
The reopening responds to increased truck movements on the detour route during the Victoria Pass closure, ensuring drivers have access to safe rest opportunities along the corridor.
Providing dedicated rest areas is critical to helping drivers manage fatigue and maintain safe driving conditions, particularly on routes experiencing higher traffic volumes.
Read the full media release here.
| Heavy vehicles will soon have another rest area on the Bells Line of Road. |
Plan ahead for Blue Mountains travel this long weekend
Transport urges drivers to plan ahead this King’s Birthday long weekend, as delays are likely across the Blue Mountains.
There will be increased traffic on the detour route through Lithgow, and delays are also expected on the Bells Line of Road and the Great Western Highway between Glenbrook and Blackheath.
Drivers should allow extra travel time, consider alternative routes and explore public transport options where possible.
Lithgow residents can make use of the live traffic cameras in town to plan their local trips.
See our map of alternative routes here.
See the Great Western Highway Live Traffic camera here
See the Mort Street Live Traffic camera here
| The view of Mort Street from the Live Traffic camera. |
| Transport will carry out essential track maintenance between 25 May and 1 June. |
LiveBetter Community Transport, Lithgow
LiveBetter offers a government-subsidised Community Transport service for safe, reliable and easy-to-access travel. It’s ideal if you have difficulty using public transport or don’t have access to your own vehicle.
They can help you get where you need to go – whether that’s medical appointments, shopping, or social activities, so you can stay connected and independent.
Available Monday to Friday and other times by appointment.
To book your next trip, call 1800 590 590 or visit www.livebetter.org.au.
Travel time improvements for school buses
We know the closure of the Great Western Highway has made travel more challenging for families, particularly students travelling between Hartley and the upper Blue Mountains.
Transport has worked with schools and bus operators—carefully balancing available buses, drivers and supervision—to deliver the safest and most practical improvements.
From 25 May, updates to the S371 and S368 services have reduced afternoon travel times by up to 42 minutes, with some morning services also operating up to 10 minutes later.
We encourage families to check Trip Planner for the latest travel times.
| Improvements to school bus services have delivered shorter trips and later starts for Hartley students. |
Support package for impacted businesses
The NSW Government is delivering a $3.5 million support package to help small businesses and councils in the Blue Mountains and Central West affected by the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass.
The package includes short-term financial assistance and advisory support to help businesses manage ongoing disruption while the closure remains in place.
The Reconstruction Authority has developed these measures in consultation with local businesses and the Small Business Commission. We expect registrations to open in mid-June.
Read the full media release here.
Register at the Rural Assistance Authority here.
Plan ahead: weekend rail closures
Transport reminds passengers to plan ahead while essential trackwork is underway on the Blue Mountains Line this weekend.
A full weekend closure between Blacktown and Lithgow (30–31 May) will support completion of critical works, including track repairs and overhead wire upgrades.
Buses will replace trains, with additional services to meet demand. Free coach services will also operate between Bathurst and Katoomba.
Passengers should allow extra travel time and plan ahead using Trip Planner or the Opal Travel app.
Don’t forget to tap on and off with the same Opal or contactless card (or device) throughout the week to benefit from caps to daily and weekly fares, 30% off travel on weekends and off-peak times, and discounts when transferring between services within 60 minutes.
Read more about the trackwork here.
Have your say
The Reconstruction Authority (RA) and Transport for NSW (Transport) have launched the Have Your Say portal to allow community members to provide online feedback about how the closure of the Great Western Highway is impacting their community or business.
Have your say at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/gwhvictoriapass
For more information about what support is available, contact the NSW Reconstruction Authority at or phone 02 9212 9200.
| Go to the Have Your Say portal to lodge a submission and provide your feedback. |
Stay up to date
For advice about road closures or changes to conditions on the detour route, subscribe to our Traffic Control Centre for SMS alerts.
For real time traffic updates, follow the incident on the Live Traffic website.
Thank you for your patience as we complete these critical road repairs.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding these works or other projects in the Blue Mountains, please call 1800 953 777, and select option 4, or email us at .
Transport for NSW
For languages other than English, please call 131 450.
Victoria Pass Closure Local Coordinating Committee
The Committee was established to provide direct advice to Trish Doyle Member for Blue Mountains from community and business organisations in the Blackheath, Mt Victoria and Hartley Valley areas re social, economic and environmental impacts on these areas of the Victoria Pass closure and to suggest remedial actions to the NSW Government and its Taskforce. Click here to see areas of concern.
Click here to see recent Blue Mountains Gazette Article which provides updates.
Updated School Bus Timetable Information
Summary of changes in timetables below;
School service changes in the afternoon below showing prior schedule for S368 ‘Rosella’ bus and the new schedules for S368 and S371 catering for the schools with students registered to use these services;
- Blue Mountains Grammar School,
- Mount Victoria Public School,
- Blackheath Public School,
- Blue Mountains Christina School.
Noting – Blue Mountains Grammar School students benefit by only 6 minutes vs other schools which benefit much more.
Also a school by school breakdown showing travel arrangements, and improvements. Notably, this does not accommodate Katoomba High School as these services never stopped at this school. Students for Katoomba High School in their SSTC applications registered to use the 8736 bus from Katoomba High School to Mount Victoria and use private vehicles from here.
| Rosella Bus – Mount Victoria Public to Wentworth Falls via Katoomba | S368 | ||||||
| Mount Victoria Public School, Victoria St | 15:00 | S368 | |||||
| Blackheath Public School, Great Western Hwy | 15:10 | Blue Mountain Grammar School, Matcham Ave | 15:05 | ||||
| Blue Mountain Grammar School, Matcham Ave | 15:35 | Great Western Hwy opp Blue Mountains City Council | 15:15 | ||||
| Great Western Hwy opp Blue Mountains City Council | 15:45 | Great Western Hwy after Selsdon St | 15:36 | ||||
| Great Western Hwy opp Medlow Bath Station | 15:50 | Hartley Valley Rd after Chifley Rd | 16:07 | ||||
| Great Western Hwy before Bundarra St | 15:53 | Franks Pl at Mid Hartley Rd | 16:32 | ||||
| Great Western Hwy opp Weber’s Nursery | 15:55 | Mid Harlley Rd at Granger Pl | 16:34 | ||||
| Main St after Bridge St | 16:45 | Browns Gap Rd at Sunray Ave | 16:35 | ||||
| Lithgow St at Hassan Walls Rd | 16:47 | 2360 Great western Hwy | 16:39 | ||||
| Methven St at Calero St | 16:48 | Baaners Lane Turn Around | 16:43 | ||||
| Lithgow Smalls Arms Museum, Methven St | 16:49 | ||||||
| Musket Pde before Bayonet St | 16:50 | S371 | |||||
| Bayonet St af Enfield Av | 16:50 | Mount Victoria Public School on Victoria St | 14:55 | ||||
| Mid Hartley Rd opp Granger Pl | 17:10 | Blackheath Public School, Wentworth St | 15:06 | ||||
| 2360 Great western Hwy | 17:15 | Blue Mountains Christian School Bus Bay | 15:16 | ||||
| Mid Hartley Rd at Great Western Hwy | 17:19 | 113 Mount York Rd | 15:32 | ||||
| Great Western Hwy Opp 3076 | 17:26 | Great Western Hwy after Selsdon St | 15:36 | ||||
| Great Western Hwy after Kirkley St | 17:33 | Hartley Valley Rd after Chifley Rd | 16:07 | ||||
| Lithgow General Cemetery, Great Western Hwy | 17:35 | La Salle Academy | 16:21 | ||||
| Great Western Hwy at Flint McClelland Ave | 17:35 | Mount St at Macaulay St | 16:37 | ||||
| Donald St after Union St | 17:45 | Donald St opp Buslines Depot | 16:47 | ||||
Please find updated school bus timetable by clicking here.
Please see Media Release regarding Financial support for small businesses impacted by the closure of the Great Western Highway from the NSW Government
Situation Report as at 13 May 2026
Transport for NSW is providing regular report of activities associated with the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass.
A Great Western Highway Community Coordination Taskforce has also been established, that includes other Government agencies and Local Councils.
This report is also provided to the taskforce, who will incorporate the information within their broader multi-agency updates.
These updates are provided weekly or following any significant change to the current situation.
Please click here to read the situation report for 13 May 2026.
Community update
Global experts gather to find solution for Mitchells Causeway
This week, Transport brought together leading engineering experts from across Australia and overseas, sharing what’s been learned so far and seeking solutions to restore road connectivity on the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass
The briefing gave specialists a detailed picture of current conditions at Mitchells Causeway, drawing on weeks of on-site investigations, monitoring and testing. By openly sharing findings and inviting fresh ideas, Transport is giving industry the best possible starting point to develop practical, high-quality solutions on an accelerated timeline.
Read more here.
One of many bore hole samples taken during investigations at Mitchells Causeway, Victoria Pass
Changed Traffic Conditions for Anzac Day in Lithgow
As the nation pauses to commemorate Anzac Day on Saturday 25 April, there will be temporary changes to traffic arrangements in place in Lithgow to support the Anzac Day service. Transport has worked closely with Lithgow City Council to facilitate the Anzac Day parade and associated road closures, allowing the community to safely come together to recognise and honour the service and sacrifice of our service personnel. As part of these arrangements, Main Street (Chifley Road) will be closed between Lithgow Street and Hassans Walls Road from 9am to 1pm. A signed local detour will be in place via Enfield Avenue, Methven Street, Wrights Road, Lithgow Street and Mort Street (Chifley Road). The detour is suitable for all vehicles and is expected to add less than five minutes to travel times. Motorists are reminded that this section of Main Street currently forms part of the detour in use while the Great Western Highway remains closed at Victoria Pass and are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly. For the most up-to-date traffic information, visit Live Traffic NSW at
https://www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/271578 or download the Live Traffic NSW app. To receive real-time updates, search for “Lithgow, NSW”, tap the event pin and select Follow.
Maintenance work keeps detour routes safe and open
Our crews are continuing to carry out planned night maintenance on Chifley Road, Darling Causeway to strengthen the roads and boost safety.
Chifley Road and Darling Causeway
Work will continue at multiple locations on Chifley Road and Darling Causeway. This work will take place 8pm-5am through to June 2026.
Read the full notification here.
Chifley Road at Scenic Hill
Due to a work location on Scenic Hill, traffic will be held at the base of the hill which may cause additional delays of up to 20 minutes. Vehicles will be released in groups to reduce congestion and prevent delays on the steep incline. Work will take place 8pm-5am, between Monday 20 and Thursday 30 April. Please allow an extra 45 minutes to travel through the work sites and the full detour.
Read the full notification letter here.
Maintenance crews at work on Darling Causeway on the detour.
Great Western Highway Community Coordination Taskforce
The NSW Government has set up the Great Western Highway Community Coordination Taskforce, led by the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW, to provide practical support and make sure that communities, businesses and freight operators across the Blue Mountains and the Central West get the assistance they need.
For more information about what support is available, contact the NSW Reconstruction Authority at or phone 02 9212 9200.
Frequently asked questions
Visit this page for some quick answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass.
Victoria Pass Frequently Asked Questions.
Stay up to date
For advice about road closures or changes to conditions on the detour route, subscribe to our Traffic Control Centre for SMS alerts.
For real time traffic updates, follow the incident on the Live Traffic website.
Thank you for your patience as we complete these critical road repairs.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding these works or other projects in the Blue Mountains, please call 1800 953 777, and select option 4, or email us at .
Transport for NSW
For languages other than English, please call 131 450.
Situation Report as at 16 April 2026
Transport for NSW is providing regular report of activities associated with the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass.
A Great Western Highway Community Coordination Taskforce has also been established, that includes other Government agencies and Local Councils.
This report is also provided to the taskforce, who will incorporate the information within their broader multi-agency updates.
These updates are provided twice weekly or following any significant change to the current situation.
Please click here to read the situation report for 16 April 2026.
Update 1
On Monday 16 March, an Action Plan prepared by several Blackheath and Mt Victoria based organisations was presented to Trish Doyle MP for Blue Mountains and Susan Templeman MP for Macquarie.
● Financial rescue package for directly impacted businesses and financial support for impacted staff
● The new school bus timetable announced on Friday 13 March 2026 is not working with some students now facing 4 hour journey times to get to and from school – We need more direct bus services b/w MVPS and Hartley/La Salle Academy, and more support for local schools, students and parents who are affected by the ongoing disruptions
● Free coach service between Bathurst, Lithgow, Mount Victoria and Katoomba – add Blackheath as a stop
● 1/2 hour shuttle train service between Lithgow and Katoomba with a connecting shuttle bus service to Little Hartley via Lithgow Hospital
● Extra XPT & Bathurst bullet train services
● Temporary suspension of paid parking in Blackheath (BMCC to be reimbursed by the NSW Govt)
● Coordinated and targeted visitation promotion for Blackheath, Megalong, Mount Victoria and Little Hartley
● Promote Lithgow Main Street shopping precinct, Blackheath and Mount Victoria as places to stop and recharge on the extended journey
● Either run trucks across the Blue Mountains in set hours like during the Sydney Olympics or divert some of them to the Hume/Golden to take pressure off
● Support Telehealth and at home doctor’s visits so vulnerable people don’t have to drive and travel
● Extra data analytics for local councils to support evidence based requests for ongoing community and business support as needed
● Allow employees to work from home where practicable to reduce traffic movements
● Financial support for local services such as O0SH and other children’s services, NDIS supports and community aged care and mental health services where clients are struggling to access these services
● Work with BMCC & LCC to investigate better access for residents in postcodes 2785/2786 to Hartley Vale Road and investigate road connection between the three valleys for alternate access for local residents only
Update 2
New Public Transport Connections
The local organisations, led by the Blackheath Chamber of Commerce and working alongside the Blackheath Alliance, BANC, and the Mount Victoria Commuity Association have been successful to date. With the support of Trish Doyle MP , they have achieved the following new public transport connections, which are in response to the closure of Victoria Pass:
- There will be an extra 10 train services that will be extended to operate from Lithgow, providing an hourly service between Lithgow, Mount Victoria, Blackheath, Medlow Bath and Katoomba throughout most of the day.
- There will also now be 7 daily return train services between Lithgow and Bathurst.
- The Free Coach Service between Bathurst – Lithgow – Mount Victoria – Katoomba now includes a stop at Blackheath.
Victoria Pass Closure Local Impact Committee Update
A local Victoria Pass Closure Local Impact Committee has been formed and met for the first time on Monday 30 March.
This Committee is designed to coordinate views from the local communities of Blackheath, Mt Victoria and Little Hartley and provides advice to the main cross Government and sectors Taskforce established by the NSW Government a few weeks ago.
The Committee’s membership is:
- Michael Paag, Blackheath and District Chamber of Commerce
- Shane McLucas, Mt Victoria Business Association
- Simon Davies, Mt Victoria Community Association
- Eva Johnstone, Blackheath Area Community Alliance
- Ramsay Moodie, Hartley District Progress Association
- Gary Moore, Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre
The Committee has endorsed a series of actions divided into the areas of Transport, Visitation and Promotion, Health and Community Services, Business and Government that are being put to the Taskforce and Government Ministers and Agencies for consideration in relation to all the impacts of the Victoria Pass road closure. These actions are both major and minor, but all aimed at alleviating as much as possible the negative impacts being experienced by local businesses and communities at present.
The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday 9 April
| Situation Report as at 1 April 2026 |
The following information provides an update of the Transport for NSW (Transport) activities. A Great Western Highway Community Coordination Taskforce has also been established, that includes other Government agencies and Local Councils.
This report is also provided to the taskforce, who will incorporate the information within their broader multi-agency updates.
These updates will be provided twice weekly (minimum) or following any significant change to the current situation.
Subscribers to this distribution list will also receive all media releases issued in relation to works and the current closure
ROADS
• An incident occurred on Chifley Road in Lithgow yesterday (Mon 30 March), when a single vehicle hit a power pole, causing a road blockage.
• Crews on site cleared the road and returned traffic flow in 30 minutes.
• Transport is reviewing the incident for any lessons learnt to identify opportunities to further improve response times.
• Outside of incidents, travel times continue to remain consistent within the detour route.
• The detour adds around 25 minutes to travel times between Lithgow and Katoomba.
• Drivers should expect heavier traffic and delays on all detour routes, particularly during peak periods and on weekends.
• Transport crews have provided 58 tows to assist heavy vehicle drivers up the steep scenic hill, and to clear traffic incidents.
ROADWORK
• Geotechnical experts are now analysing data gathered on Mitchell’s Causeway. Transport will demobilise geotechnical drilling equipment on the Causeway this week.
• Transport has been carrying out heavy patching work during nights on the Darling Causeway, and will finish on Wednesday evening/Thursday morning.
• Crews will cease general work over Easter break, and return on the evening of Monday 6 April. However crews will be on standby for any urgent maintenance and response over the break and will manage their work to minimise disruption to travellers.
• Works completed on nightshift Monday 30 March: 190t of asphalt laid, two signs installed.
• Works completed on nightshift Friday 27 March: six signs installed, 60 linear meters of linemarking installed.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
• NSW TrainLink has 2 fully accessible coaches running 13 temporary, free turn-up-and-go services daily between Bathurst and Katoomba. These free services will travel in both directions and stop at Katoomba, Blackheath, Mt Victoria, Lithgow and Bathurst train stations.
• Sydney Trains is running additional train services to and from the Blue Mountains to support travelling to and from the region.
Blue Mountains: 10 Mariyung services have been extended to operate from Lithgow, providing an hourly service between Lithgow, Mount Victoria and Katoomba across the day.
Bathurst: 6 extra services in addition to the standard timetable are operating between Bathurst and Lithgow.
Two direct Sydney service “Bathurst Bullet” are running at the key commuter times of 7:40am (Bathurst to Sydney) and 5:42pm (Sydney to Bathurst).
All other services require interchange at Lithgow with Mariyung services for travel to and from Sydney.
FREIGHT
• The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has published the National Heavy Vehicle New South Wales Great Western Highway Road Closure at Victoria Pass Work and Rest Hours Exemption 2026 (No.1), which temporarily increases allowable fatigue hours, with safeguards in place, to support freight detours. Click here to view the conditions of the exemption
MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION
• The Victoria Pass webpage www.transport.nsw.gov.au/gwhvp is receiving regular updates with news and information as it becomes available. The site will be updated today, Tuesday 31 March.
• Community information on free resources available to community and businesses is now available here on the Victoria Page website.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
• Transport has met with Blue Mountains City Council and Lithgow City Council to discuss the detour and local impacts.
• Transport officers are continuing to meet with schools and transport providers to find ways to lessen impacts on school students requiring to travel the detour to get to school.
• Transport officers are meeting with Lithgow City Council 1 April to examine local transport issues and identify ways in which we can assist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try this page for some quick answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass.
Victoria Pass Frequently Asked Questions.
Stay up to date
For day to day updates about changes to works on the Darling Causeway and Chifley Road, subscribe to our Traffic Control Centres for SMS alerts.
For real time traffic updates, follow the incident on the Live Traffic website.
Thank you for your patience as we complete these critical road repairs.
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding these works or other projects in the Blue Mountains, please call 1800 953 777, and select option 4, or email us at .
Transport for NSW
P 1800 953 777 (Option 4)
E
M 51-55 Currajong Street, Parkes NSW 2870
For languages other than English, please call 131 450.