DESIGNS for the east and west sections of the Great Western Highway duplication should be released next month and construction is expected to start next year, according to the federal and state governments.
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State and federal politicians gathered at Little Hartley on Monday to provide an update on the duplication project and talk about its importance - and, as if to add weight to their claims, traffic problems in the afternoon led to half-hour delays for those crossing the Blue Mountains to return to Sydney.
The NSW Government announced its plans to duplicate the highway from Katoomba to Lithgow during a visit to Bathurst in the lead-up to the 2019 state election.
The state committed $2.5 billion to the project, to which the Federal Government has added $2 billion for the east and west sides of the duplication at Little Hartley and Medlow Bath.
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Member for Bathurst and Minister for Transport Paul Toole said designs for the Coxs River Road section and Medlow Bath should be released in the next month.
"We are hoping construction on these sections of road can take place next year, with improved intersections, widening of roads, two lanes in both directions and improved safety," he said.
He said the NSW Government, meanwhile, was still undertaking studies about creating an 11 kilometre tunnel through the Blue Mountains from Little Hartley to Blackheath.
He said having two lanes each way was critical.
"We are the last road into Sydney that doesn't have a dual carriageway, so it is vital we get this done," he said.
Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the east and west section construction would support 3900 jobs.
NSW Member of the Legislative Council Shayne Mallard said the imminent release of concept designs and the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the Medlow Bath upgrade showed how serious the NSW Government was about the project.
"As a local, I see the congestion that stops locals moving around their own towns, and the impact a single accident can have in closing off the highway for hours at a time, which is why I'm so excited that this project is now a step closer to reality," he said.
"Medlow Bath has been promised as the first cab off the rank, and with the upcoming release of the REF ahead of construction starting in late 2022, the community can see that we're delivering on that promise."