NSW planning Australia’s longest road tunnel
6 May 2021Australia’s state government of New South Wales (NSW) is looking at constructing the country’s longest road tunnel to run under the Blue Mountains between Lithgow and Katoomba.
The proposed 11km tunnel would cost AU$8bn as part of a proposed multi-billion, 130km upgrade of the Great Western Highway connecting the Central West to Sydney and the East Coast.
NSW deputy premier John Barilaro confirmed that highway construction would begin in 2022, with tunnelling works following in 2023. He also pledged that tunnel construction would not impact the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
The plans comprise three sections of tunnel: at Blackheath (4.5km) and Mount Victoria (4km) – both of which the government is already committed to; and the proposed third 3km tunnel linking the two.
The result is hoped to be a safer and more reliable connection through the Blue Mountains which can see heavy congestion on existing routes.
