Great Western Highway Upgrade Program
Project overview
The Great Western Highway is one of Australia’s most historic roads and a key east-west connection out of Sydney. Over the last 100 years, the NSW Government has progressively upgraded sections of the highway to make it safer and more reliable.

In 2018, $30 million was announced to upgrade the highway between Kelso and Raglan.
In 2019 the NSW Government committed $2.5 billion to the duplication of the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow, a project that complete the final 34 kilometres of a modern dual-carriageway link over the entire Blue Mountains.
In 2021 the Federal Government committed a further $2.03 billion towards upgrading the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Blackheath, and between Little Hartley and Lithgow.
Important safety improvements have been delivered through the safety upgrade program along the Highway at Blackheath, Mount Victoria and Forty Bends. This work has seen improved road surfaces, intersection upgrades and lane widening delivered as part of the $250 million investment by the Australian and NSW governments.
Great Western Highway projects
Latest news
Feb 2023 - Major work commences at Medlow Bath
View the media release for more information.
Sep 2022 - Coxs River Road Upgrade early works contract awarded
Countdown to the start of work on Great Western Highway upgrade
The countdown is on to the start of work on the Little Hartley to Lithgow section of the Great Western Highway upgrade with Ausconnex awarded the contract to carry out early works at Coxs River Road.
View the media release for more information.
Aug 2022 - Medlow Bath Pedestrian Bridge design briefings
Transport is seeking local representatives to be part of briefings to discuss the Medlow Bath pedestrian bridge design.
Representatives will join the briefing sessions and help us focus on local values and the concept design before they are presented to the wider community.
If you would like to apply, download a copy of the nomination form and terms of reference on the Web portal. Applications must be lodged by Sunday 11 September and emailed to gwhd@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Community information
Awarded tenders
- Katoomba to Blackheath (East section)– Aurecon have been appointed to refine the design and prepare environmental assessments for this section.
- Medlow Bath- MRB have been appointed to refine the design and prepare environmental assessments for this section.
- Blackheath to Little Hartley (Central section)- Aecom have been appointed to prepare the environmental impact statement for this section. Joint venture AECOM / Aurecon (AAJV) were selected to work on the technical investigations and design of the tunnel.
- Little Hartley to Lithgow (West section) - Jacobs Arcadis Joint Venture have been appointed to refine the design and prepare environmental assessments for this section
Project documents
Some documents on this page may not comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG).
If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us.
Project notifications
- April 2023 project notification (PDF, 148.2 KB)
Night work on the Great Western Highway at Meadow Flat from Wednesday 26 April. - March 2023 project notification (PDF, 205.23 KB)
Changed traffic conditions on the Mid Western Highway at Carcoar from 15 March for essential maintenance work. - April 2023 project notification (PDF, 227.86 KB)
Nightwork on the Great Western Highway at Raglan from April 16.
Media releases
- 18 August 2022
Seeds for tomorrow's Great Western Highway.
14 June 2021
Safer passage through Medlow Bath ahead of full highway upgrade.14 June 2021
Great Western Highway upgrade powering ahead.28 May 2021
$8.5 million road safety investment extends to Meadow Flat School.
Contact us
For further information about this project, please contact:
Phone: 1800 953 777
Email:gwhd@transport.nsw.gov.au
Post: Great Western Highway Upgrade Program - PO Box 334, Parkes NSW 2870