That's what councillor Warren Aubin says of the NSW Government's planned multi-billion dollar duplication of the Great Western Highway from Lithgow to Katoomba.

Announced in Bathurst in the lead-up to the 2019 state election, the duplication has drawn criticism from some quarters because it is prioritising roads over rail.

"There are more people driving from Bathurst to Sydney than are going on the train," Cr Aubin said.

"Anything that is brought in for a safety measure or to quicken the trip is obviously a bonus for everybody."

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The upgrade, for which the NSW Government has so far committed $2.5 billion, is set to be delivered in stages.

Transport for NSW recently went out to tender for a design firm "to progress the site investigations, the design, and the environmental assessment work for the Medlow Bath section of the upgrade, from Station Street to 400 metres south of Bellevue Crescent".

READ ALSO: Letter | Here's the truth: Great Western Highway hopes are misplaced

Cr Aubin said the work on the upgrade would inevitably be frustrating for motorists, but the end result needed to be kept in mind.

"When there's major roadworks happening, there's obviously a bit of a burden put on some of the community, but suck it up, princess," he said.

"It's short-term pain for long-term gain."

He said the people of Raglan will face the same short-term pain when work starts on the $30 million widening of the highway from their village to Kelso.

"They will be put out, but it will give them a better road to town," he said.

Advocate reader Chris O`Rourke, in a letter to the editor last week, said upgrading the rail line, instead of duplicating the highway from Lithgow to Katoomba, would save billions of dollars and would spare homes and businesses in Blackheath and Medlow Bath from being lost.

National Trust director of conservation Graham Quint has argued for upgrading the rail line for additional freight and passengers rather than widening the road.