General News
24 September, 2026
Changed traffic conditions between Lithgow and Bell as improvement work continues on the detour route
Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions on the Great Western Highway detour route as work continues to strengthen this section of road while Victoria Pass is closed to all traffic.
Work continues at multiple locations on Chifley Road through to Friday, November 27, weather permitting.
Transport for NSW will work at night to minimise the impact to motorists. Work hours will be 7pm to 5am Sunday to Thursday. There will be no work on Friday and Saturday nights and on public holidays. To help keep traffic moving during busy periods, we will also pause work on known peak travel days during school holidays and the Bathurst 1000 weekend.
Due to the location of some of the work on Scenic Hill between September 20 and October 20 and for the safety of workers and motorists, traffic will be held at the base of Scenic Hill for up to 20 minutes to facilitate this work. This will help prevent traffic congestion, breakdowns, and prolonged stopping on a steep incline. Vehicles will then be released in groups, allowing them to travel smoothly up the hill, and preventing further delays due to breakdown.
The work continuing on Chifley Road includes installing safety barriers, heavy patching, laying asphalt and refreshing the line marking. This will provide road users with a smoother, safer road surface. We will also carry out general maintenance activities, including installing signs and repairs, as required.
Changed traffic conditions will be in place during work hours. Shoulder and lane closures, intermittent stopping, and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists.
Motorists using the Great Western Highway detour via Darling Causeway and Chifley Road are advised to allow extra travel time.
