Slope stabilisation work a permanent fix for the Great Western Highway at Mount Victoria
Work is about to start on a seven-month project to permanently repair a slope beside the Great Western Highway that was damaged by heavy rainfall last year.
Slope stabilisation work on the eastbound carriageway near Fairy Bower Road at Mount Victoria will provide a permanent fix for this section of highway and replace the emergency stabilisation work carried out in early 2022.
Transport for NSW Regional Director West Alistair Lunn said geotechnical investigations of the area had now been completed, along with a review of environmental factors and finalisation of a detailed design that would deliver an effective and long-term solution for all road users.
“The Great Western Highway is a key regional route linking Sydney with the state’s central west and western regions and thousands of local drivers, tourists and freight operators travel through this area every day,” Mr Lunn said.
“This section of highway near Mount Victoria was just one of the many important links right across the state’s roads network that was damaged by extreme weather early last year, with significant cracking and a shallow failure at the crest of the slope that has affected the eastbound lane of the road over the rail bridge.
“Emergency work carried out in March and April 2022 has kept the road open and allowed traffic to keep moving but we’re now ready to start work on a permanent fix that will improve safety for all road users in the area and help avoid future slope failures and road closures following heavy rainfall events.”
Contractor Ventia has been engaged to carry out the slope remediation on behalf of Transport for NSW.
Work will include construction of an 80-metre long and five-metre high gabion basket retaining wall, drainage work including the construction of a new stormwater chute, and landscaping and revegetation of the slope with native plants.
“Before they can start construction work, crews have to remove 41 trees that will be mulched and reused on-site. However, landscaping and revegetation at the completion of the project will result in a net increase in the number of trees at the site, with more than 150 trees to be replanted,” Mr Lunn said.
“This is an important project and we have taken every step to ensure it delivers for both the community and the environment.”
Work on the slope stabilisation will start on Monday 21 August and be carried out between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. There will be no work on Sundays or public holidays.
Work will take about seven months to complete, weather permitting.
The Great Western Highway will remain open while work is completed. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.
Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience.
For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.