The Great Western Highway's Victoria Pass section will remain closed until at least April to June 2025, as the New South Wales government announced plans to build a new structure above the 194-year-old Mitchells Causeway. The closure, which began in March 2023 after critical structural cracks were detected, has forced thousands of daily commuters to take lengthy detours.
Closure timeline and government response
Transport for NSW closed the road in March after discovering cracks in Mitchells Causeway, a convict-built bridge. Initially, NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison estimated a three-month closure. However, on Friday, the government revealed that construction of a new crossing would begin within weeks, with reopening expected between April and June 2025.
The causeway, used by about 12,000 vehicles daily, will be stabilised as part of the project. The new structure is designed to allow for an additional lane in the future, a feature not possible with the current bridge. Civil engineering contractor Seymour Whyte was selected after an accelerated procurement process that attracted 10 submissions.
Financial support for affected communities
The state government announced an additional $20 million in financial support on Friday. This increases the grant amount for small businesses facing hardship in eligible areas from $10,000 to $25,000 and extends the areas eligible for support. Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty said the financial relief would be paired with logistical support, including free coaches and $50 million in ongoing upgrades to detour routes.
The Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District assured that the updated timeline would not compromise local healthcare services.
Community and political reactions
The announcement has been met with scepticism. NSW Liberals leader Kellie Sloane said, “There is white-hot anger in communities that have been cut off, and who will say this compensation package barely touches the sides.” She added that businesses cannot survive another 10 months without meaningful support.
Nationals state MP for Bathurst Paul Toole shared the transport department’s media release on social media, garnering over 100 comments, many doubting the completion date. Toole criticised the timeline, saying, “This isn’t just a local road closure, this is a state significant highway and a major economic issue… This announcement offers a timeline, but no confidence.” He called for 24/7 construction work.
Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle defended the project: “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.”
Engineering perspectives
Behzad Fatahi, professor of civil and geotechnical engineering at the University of Technology Sydney, described the terrain as steep, narrow, and “geotechnically challenging,” limiting immediate expansion. He called the plan to build an independent bridge deck a “practical way forward.” Fatahi noted that adding a lane now would require a wider deck and larger piles, adding significant cost and risk, and could create a bottleneck further along the highway.
Maria Rashidi, associate professor and director of research at Western Sydney University’s school of engineering, called the strategy a “technically sound and practical solution” that addresses geotechnical issues while preserving the historic causeway. She stated, “The proposed reopening between April and June next year is an achievable target, provided there are no unforeseen ground conditions or prolonged weather delays.”
