A new road bridge at the centre of the Great Western Highway upgrade at Little Hartley is now open to traffic.
The 70-metre-long bridge has been built by a large cohort of local people using locally sourced materials, including concrete from Lithgow and quarry materials from Oberon.
The bridge will carry motorists up and across a new section of the highway to the local road network extending west to Jenolan Caves.
Completion of the grade-separated interchange at Coxs River Road is a milestone for the $232 million jointly funded project to improve safety and efficiency.
The new two-span bridge is 15 metres wide with a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists so active commuters can also safely cross the highway.
In total, 530 jobs will be supported by this upgrade, with work now turning to completion of the 2.4-kilometre new section of dual-lane, separated Great Western Highway.
More than 30 per cent of the entire workforce on this upgrade since work started in March 2023 are local residents from Lithgow, Bathurst and Blue Mountains LGAs, and over 30 local businesses have been engaged.
As well as the concrete and gravel, 300 tonnes of steel was used to build the road bridge, which rests on 14 precast Super T girders, which are each 34 metres long and weigh 60 tonnes.
Once asphalting and sealing of the new road is complete, the site will be landscaped.
The Coxs River Road Upgrade is on track to be completed in 2025.
For further information visit Coxs River Road Upgrade on the Transport for NSW website.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:
“Not only is this a remarkable piece of transport infrastructure, improving safety and efficiency at this intersection, but it is a triumph of local materials and labour.
“Having the newly constructed bridge open to traffic means motorists can start to experience the benefits of our major upgrade through this section of the Great Western Highway, with more positives to come once the whole project is complete.
“Our commitment to this project is demonstrated by the recent Federal Budget commitment of $116 million, as part of providing over $3.1 billion to NSW over the next 10 years for new and existing projects.”
Federal Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister Kristy McBain said:
“It was fantastic to visit the Coxs River Road Upgrade recently – which will make it easier for locals and tourists to get around, and keep our freight vehicles moving efficiently.
“That’s exactly what’s happening with this new bridge now open. It will improve road safety and unlock new economic opportunities in the Central West of NSW – a fast-growing part of the state.”
NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said:
“Completion of the Coxs River Road bridge is just the start of improvements to the Great Western Highway at Little Hartley.
“The new bridge is vital for ensuring the preservation of local heritage buildings whilst improving safety and reducing congestion for local, tourist and freight traffic through the valley.
“The new pedestrian access will encourage more active transport and improve safety for the local community.”
Stephen Lawrence MLC said:
“It’s wonderful to see that this project has supported our regional economy, particularly here on the western side of the Blue Mountains through employment and the use of local business.
“Supporting local people, products and services is key to leaving a positive legacy beyond the impressive new infrastructure, once crews have finished the job and packed up and left.”