Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey is calling on the New South Wales Government to make the re-opening of the Great Western Highway a priority.
The highway, part of the major direct link between Sydney and Central New South Wales, has been closed since March, when cracks were discovered at Mitchell’s Causeway, a 200-year-old structure originally built for horses and wagons. The NSW Coalition Government had announced planning was underway on an 11km tunnel through the Blue Mountains, a plan that was dumped by the Labor Government.
“The closure and the condition of the Great Western Highway are obviously significant issues, and the road needs to be safe and open as soon as possible,” Mr Chaffey said.
“The closure is having ramifications for families and businesses right across the region.
“This is a state highway that is the responsibility of the New South Wales government. The NSW government has just released a statement providing an update on geotechnical investigations and testing at Mitchells Causeway that confirms the underlying bedrock remains strong. The immediate focus must now be placed on repairing the damaged sections of the causeway and opening this important route as soon as it is safe to do so.
“This is a very old causeway, and it is not a new problem. The NSW Labor Government has allowed deterioration to continue and must now face up to the problem they have failed to address.”
The NSW Government’s geotechnical report can be read at https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/geotechnical-data-to-inform-long-term-solution-for-great-western-highway
ENDS
Media contact: Marie Low | 0491 940 108 | marie.low@aph.gov.au