General News
17 March, 2026
“No shortcuts on safety”; Great Western Highway closed for at least three months
Major geotechnical failure discovered early this month at Mitchell’s Causeway is the cause.
The NSW government says it is being upfront with the community and there will be no shortcuts on safety as specialist engineers advising the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass will remain in place for at least three months.
This follows a major geotechnical failure discovered early this month at Mitchell’s Causeway which has made the road unsafe. The government recognises this closure is causing real disruption for Blue Mountains and Central West communities, local businesses, freight operators and families on both sides of the pass. A detour around the problem bridge area is via the Bells Line of Road and the Darling Causeway from Lithgow.
Transport for NSW has advised that at least two weeks of specialist geotechnical testing and 3D imaging must be carried out with no passing traffic to understand the full extent of the damage.
The government states that even under the most optimistic scenario, any remediation required to make the road safe for vehicles would take at least a further two months.
Transport for NSW has added additional trains and coach services and will be “boosting resilience of road along Bells Line of Road and Darling Causeway to reduce traffic impacts and preserve road quality”.
The 194-year-old Mitchell’s Causeway, also known as the Convict Bridge, has been closed in both directions since Sunday, March 8, after proactive monitoring by Transport for NSW detected significant cracking and movement in the substructure.
The government says around 90 staff, including specialist engineers, maintenance workers and operational crews, have been working around the clock. The government is receiving regular briefings from Transport for NSW, supported by third-party engineering, geology and heritage experts on site.
An incident management team has been established to coordinate with other government agencies, local councils, freight operators, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and other affected stakeholders.
The alternate route via Darling Causeway to Bells Line of Road is typically adding up to 25 minutes to a crossing of the Blue Mountains, but motorists should expect heavier traffic and delays, particularly during peak periods and on weekends.
Traffic control points remain staffed across the mountains and may temporarily stop general traffic to allow critical movements by emergency vehicles and essential health staff.
Bells Line of Road will continue to carry most detoured traffic from the Great Western Highway. Motorists are urged to consider alternative long-distance routes, including the Hume Highway or Golden Highway, or alternate modes of transport where suitable.
Minister for roads and regional transport, Jenny Aitchison, has been on site at Mount Victoria for briefings from transport experts and to hear from the local community and those impacted. The minister is working closely with her cabinet colleagues to support the response.
“I will be honest and upfront to the people of the Blue Mountains and the Central West: this closure is expected to remain in place for at least three months – it is incredibly serious.
“I understand that this is difficult news, but people deserve honesty and they deserve clarity,” said minister Aitchison.
“This is not a short-term repair job. We are dealing with a major geotechnical failure on a fragile and historic section of road, and it must be assessed and repaired properly.
“We are rolling out extra rail, coach and bus services now because communities need practical support, not just advice.
“I know this closure is causing real hardship for families, workers, school communities, freight operators and local businesses, and I am deeply sorry for that disruption.
“But there will be no shortcuts on safety – we will not risk lives.
“We will do all the work that is required to restore this essential link between the Blue Mountains and Central West. We will keep the community informed – we cannot reopen this road until it is safe.
“We know this closure is having broad impacts across the community, on small businesses and industry. I want to assure residents we are working across government to ensure our emergency services are not impacted and can continue to keep people safe,” said minister Aitchison.
