Works begin on Great Western Highway Katoomba to Lithgow upgrade in Australia

Australia has started works on a A$96m ($75m) Forty Bends and $70m Hartley Valley Safety package.

The works are said to be part of a $250m Great Western Highway Katoomba to Lithgow upgrade, which serves as a vital transport link between Sydney and Bathurst.

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the works will improve safety for all motorists using the highway.

"The Australian Government is committed to delivering road safety upgrades, productivity improvements and economic growth and these improvements deliver on that commitment," Truss said.

Involving upgrade of the existing two and three-lane undivided road to a full, three-lane divided highway, the Forty Bends component of the project will be completely funded by the Australian Government.

Following the upgrades, chances of formation of black ice forming on the road can be avoided, and road alignment can be improved, while increasing traffic efficiency for all motorists, including freight operators.

Hartley Valley Safety Works, the second component of the project, will receive $56m from the Australian Government and $14m from the New South Wales (NSW) government.

Works on this will involve upgrade of several intersections and widening the road shoulders, allowing traffic to enter and leave the highway safely.

NSW member for Bathurst Paul Toole said improving road safety will have wide-ranging benefits for the local community and all motorists.

"A major accident can cause havoc for motorists, but it can also cause untold grief for friends and families," Mr Toole said.

The Great Western Highway Katoomba to Lithgow package will get a funding of $200m from the Australian Government and another $50m is being contributed by the NSW government.

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Image: Great Western Highway. Photo: courtesy of Coolcaesar via Wikipedia.