NSW ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL SUPPORT
According to the government, extensive geotechnical investigations confirmed the bedrock beneath Mitchells Causeway is stable allowing a new bridge to be built over the crossing, supported by deep piles anchored into the bedrock.
Major construction will start this month with engineering and construction teams conducting drilling, grouting and heavy piling.
Transport for NSW is expected to provide regular community updates on the work.
The government says it is also liaising with organisers of major events in the region to minimise the impacts of the closure.
There will be extra rail, coach and bus services running for the Blue Mountains and Central West communities.
Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison says that news of the extended closure “will not be easy to hear”.
“I know it will mean sitting down at the kitchen table, working out how your family moves around and what the next year looks like in practice,” she says.
“I want to reinforce what this also means: we have a timeline, contractor and major construction on the new crossing beginning in July. In tandem, the detour routes are being upgraded.”
Small Business Minister Janelle Saffin says the extra funding follows an early, and initial, $3.6m package in May.
“We know this support isn’t going to solve every challenge for small businesses but we hope it will ease some of the pressures and give businesses greater certainty to plan now we have a clearer timeline for the road’s closure.”
NSW Transport Secretary Josh Murray also spoke about other support for affected residents.
“While construction is under way, we’ll continue supporting communities through enhanced public transport services, free coaches, $50 million in ongoing upgrades to detour routes and round the clock emergency focus.”
MP for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle says the clarity that residents in the Blue Mountains, Little Hartley, Lithgow and Central West has been given.
“This announcement is about more than contracts and timelines,” she says.
“We’re not just fixing what was there for the short term; we’re building something better. A new structure, properly engineered and anchored into solid bedrock, built to last.”
Details of the eligibility criteria and application process through NSW Rural Assistance Authority is available at https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/gwh
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