One week of night detours in place as Vittoria West safety upgrade moves to next stage

The Mitchell Highway between Bathurst and Orange will be closed to all traffic for five nights from Monday 31 March as a safety upgrade at Vittoria West moves to the next stage of work.

The full road closures will allow crews to replace and extend a twin cell culvert within the work zone, start preparations to extend two more culverts and undertake earthworks.

This project is being delivered by the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program, a road safety infrastructure and speed management treatment program that aims to deliver sustainable and long-term reductions in road trauma through upgrades to the existing road network.

Transport for NSW Acting Regional Director West Holly Davies said the night work from Monday 31 March would build on the early work and tree clearing that has been ongoing since October at the site, about 24 kilometres west of Bathurst.

Ms Davies said to complete these works, night works and a detour will be required.

“Crews have spent the past five months removing all non-native trees, shrubs and weeds from within the work zone, while also retaining as many native trees and natural wildlife habitats as has been safely possible,” Ms Davies said.

“Now they’re moving to the next stage of work that includes temporary safety barrier installation, a full culvert replacement, and three culvert extensions for improved drainage during extreme weather.

“The safety upgrade also includes widening the Mitchell Highway to provide a 1.4-metre wide painted centre median, building a dedicated right hand turning lane at Gardiners Road, laying new asphalt pavement, and installing safety barriers at strategic locations throughout the project area.

“To minimise impacts for motorists on this busy regional route, work will be carried out at night between 7pm and 5am from March 31 and is expected to take five nights to complete, weather permitting.

“During work hours, all traffic will be diverted through Blayney on the Mid Western Highway and Millthorpe Road, adding about 15 minutes to the journey.

“When night work takes place, there will be some noise and lighting associated with this work, however, crews will aim to complete noisier activities before midnight and direct lighting away from homes where possible.”

For operators of PBS 2B HML and PBS 2B Quad-Quad and Quad-Tri B-Doubles, it’s recommended to avoid travelling during work hours. Alternately, operators can travel via the Mid Western Highway, Canowindra Road and The Escort Way in both directions.

Operators of Class 1,2 and 3 vehicles travelling under a notice must consult their relevant enforceable network map to confirm a suitable approved alternate route.

Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in their permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

“We recognise the inconvenience for motorists and residents, but we thank them for their patience as this important upgrade work is completed,” Ms Davies said.

Once the detour is completed, changed traffic conditions including a reduced speed limit and lane closures will be in place during work hours. Motorists are advised to allow about five minutes of additional travel time during the day.

The Vittoria West safety upgrade is the latest in a program of work on the Mitchell Highway between Bathurst to Orange, including:

• The East Lucknow upgrade completed in July 2018.
• Safety upgrade at Oakey Creek Lane, completed in October 2019.
• Safety upgrade at Guyong, completed in September 2022.
• Safety upgrades at Vittoria East and East Guyong, completed in December 2023.
• Safety upgrade at Vittoria Curve, completed in May 2024.
• Intersection upgrade at Pretty Plains Road, completed in September 2024.

“Residents, tourists and freight operators make around 10,000 trips a day on the Mitchell Highway between Bathurst and Orange and we’re doing everything we can to make those journeys as safe as possible,” Ms Davies said.

More information: Mitchell Highway safety upgrades between Bathurst and Orange.