$200 Million Fix for Great Western Highway and Victoria Pass
The rebuild will restore the historic crossing and ease a long-standing freight bottleneck with a permanent extra eastbound lane.
- On Wednesday, August 19, the Albanese Government and Minns Labor Government announced a $200 million joint funding package to rebuild Victoria Pass, including a permanent eastbound climbing lane on the historic Mitchell's Causeway.
- The 194-year-old Mitchell's Causeway closed in March 2026 after engineers discovered deep structural cracking, severing the main route between the Blue Mountains and Central West, Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King noted.
- Construction giant Seymour Whyte is building an elevated concrete deck anchored to bedrock above the existing structure, with more than 150 workers now on-site delivering the project.
- NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said the eastbound lane allows motorists to "safely overtake slower-moving vehicles," though geography prevents a matching westbound lane at the narrow mountain pinch point.
- Authorities are racing to complete reconstruction by June 2027 to avoid winter delays, though the new climbing lane may not be ready when traffic returns in the second quarter of 2027.
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$200 million fix for Great Western Highway and Victoria Pass
For many freight operators, the reopening of Victoria Pass can’t come soon enough. Image: Paul Toole MP The closure of Mitchell’s Causeway and Victoria Pass on the Great Western Highway in March 2026 due to serious cracking and movement has been an ongoing headache for freight operators who rely on the route. Now, it looks like the end may be in sight, with the federal government announcing $100 million for the Great Western Highway project, mat…
Closed highway gets $100m overtaking lane after community push
The Commonwealth has announced $100 million in funding for the repair of the Great Western Highway, matching the NSW government's commitment. The money will go towards the construction of an additional lane.
Race against winter: $200m Vic Pass fix sets strict deadline as extra lane details emerge
Great Western Highway's Victoria Pass receives $200 million for a mid-2027 reopening. Discover how the upgrade will future-proof this vital regional route.
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