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Project

Great Western Highway Upgrade

PROJECT STATUS
Detailed Planning
Great Western Highway Upgrade

In March 2019, the NSW Government announced it would duplicate the Great Western Highway from Katoomba to Lithgow over 10 years. Once complete, the Great Western Highway Upgrade Program (GWHUP) will result in 34 kilometres of four lane divided highway between Katoomba at Rowan Lane and Lithgow / South Bowenfels at Magpie Hollow Road. The GWHUP is split into the eastern, western, and central sections and will be procured through seperate packages of work

Eastern Section

The Eastern Section consists of the upgrade of the GWH between Katoomba and Blackheath into a four-lane divided carriageway. The Eastern Section is approximately 7.2 kilometres and is primarily made up of the six-kilometre East package and the 1.2-kilometre Medlow Bath package, which are being procured separately.

Western Section

The Western Section consists of the upgrade of the GWH between Little Hartley to Lithgow into a four-lane divided carriageway. The Western Section is approximately 14.2 kilometres and is primarily made up of the 11.9-kilometre West package and the 2.3-kilometre Coxs River Road package, which are also being procured separately.

Central Section

The Central Section commences east of Blackheath to Little Hartley and comprises delivery of a proposed 10.6-kilometre dual carriageway tunnel. 

Key Dates

Mar 2019 Project Announcement
Jul 2022 ROIs Open
2023 Expected Construction Commencement
2030 Expected Construction Completion

Funding contributions

Federal Government
NSW Government

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Transport for NSW
Related contracts:
Detailed Design and Environmental Assessments (Eastern Section)
Successful Tenderer - Aurecon.

Detailed Design and Environmental Assessments (Western Section)
Successful Tenderer - An Arcadis-Jacobs Joint Venture.

PROJECT HISTORY

Mar 2020 Transport for NSW called for tenders to prepare a Strategic Business Case and Economic Analysis for priority projects in the Great Western Highway Upgrade Program. The successful bidder may also be required to prepare two Final Business Cases for priority projects, as determined during the development of the strategic business case. The tender process is open until 9 April 2020.
May 2020 Registrations of Interest (ROI) were invited to finalise a Preferred Concept Design, prepare a Detailed Design and complete an Environmental Assessment for the Medlow Bath section of the project.
Aug 2020 TfNSW opened ROIs for the design and preparation of environmental assessments for the Great Western Highway duplication.
Sep 2020 MRB Technical Services was appointed by NSW Government to review and refine the strategic design of the project.
Oct 2020 Transport for NSW selected a tunnel as the preferred option for the Greater Western Highway upgrade at Blackheath.
Dec 2020 An Aurecon and Arcadis-Jacobs Joint Venture were appointed to design the eastern and western sections of the project respectively and prepare environmental assessments.
May 2021 The Federal Government announced $2 billion in additional funding for the Great Western Highway Upgrade in the 2021-22 Federal Budget. The NSW Government also announced that it is investigating linking the tunnels at Blackheath and Mount Victoria to create a single 11-kilometre tunnel for the project.
Jun 2021 The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) were requested for the Blackheath to Little Hartley section of the project. The 2021-22 NSW Budget also allocated $2 billion toward the Great Western Highway Upgrade over the next four years, including $131.5 million in FY2021-22.
Sep 2021 The NSW Government commenced a Market Interaction Process (MIP) for the Medlow Bath and Coxs River Road construct only contracts, closing 1 October. The MIP will gauge market appetite, capacity and capability specifically to deliver the Medlow Bath, and Coxs River Road packages.
Nov 2021 Transport for NSW opened Request for Tenders for the project's Transactions Services, closing 17 December.
Nov 2021 The NSW and Federal Governments released the Review of Environmental Factors and the concept design for the West section of the Great Western Highway upgrade between Little Hartley and Lithgow.
Jul 2022 Transport for NSW commenced a Registration of Interest (ROI) process for the design and construction contracts for the East and West packages on the Great Western Highway Upgrade Program (GWHUP). The ROI for the East package comprises a four-lane 6-kilometre divided carriageway upgrade between Katoomba and Blackheath. The ROI for the West package comprises a four-lane 11.9-kilometre divided carriageway upgrade between Little Hartley and Lithgow.
Oct 2022 In their 2022-23 Budget, the Albanese Government deferred the $2 billion federal contribution for two years.
Dec 2022 Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure was awarded the construct only contract to deliver the 1.2-kilometre Medlow Bath Package, as part of the East Package - Katoomba to Blackheath.
Estimated Total Cost
(2019)
Sector
Road
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
New South Wales |
Infrastructure Australia status
Priority Initiative (near-term, 0-5 years)
Resources
Project website
Project website
Government resources
Community Engagement
Scoping Report - Blackheath to Little Hartley section
Media releases
2020/09/28
2020/10/12
2020/12/18
2021/11/23
2021/05/03
2019/03/07
2019/03/18
2022/12/21
Tender notices
2021/09/22
2021/11/17
2022/07/13
Major Contract

Central Package - Blackheath to Little Hartley

PROJECT STATUS
Detailed Planning
Central Package - Blackheath to Little Hartley

In March 2019, the NSW Government announced that it would duplicate the Great Western Highway, from Katoomba to Lithgow over the next 10 years.

The Blackheath to Little Hartley section involves construction of a four-lane motorway, which includes a Mount Victoria Bypass.

A central component of this highway upgrade is a proposed 11-kilometre tunnel which would run between Blackheath, south of Evans Lookout Road and Little Hartley at the base of Victoria Pass, bypassing Blackheath and Mount Victoria.

Key Dates

Mar 2019 Project Announcement
2022 Expected Construction Commencement
2026 Expected Construction Completion

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Transport for NSW
Related contracts:
Environmental Assessment
Successful Tenderer - AECOM Australia

Technical Advisory Services
Successful Tenderer - AECOM and Aurecon Joint Venture

PROJECT HISTORY

Mar 2020 Transport for NSW called for tenders to prepare a Strategic Business Case and Economic Analysis for priority projects in the Great Western Highway Upgrade Program. The successful bidder may also be required to prepare two Final Business Cases for priority projects, as determined during the development of the strategic business case. The tender process is open until 9 April 2020.
May 2021 The Federal Government announced $2 billion in additional funding for the Great Western Highway Upgrade in the 2021-22 Federal Budget. The NSW Government also announced that it is investigating linking the tunnels at Blackheath and Mount Victoria to create a single 11-kilometre tunnel for the project.
Jun 2021 The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) were requested for the Blackheath to Little Hartley section of the project. The 2021-22 NSW Budget also allocated $2 billion toward the Great Western Highway Upgrade over the next four years, including $132 million in FY2021-22. It is unclear how much this will be allocated toward the Blackheath to Little Hartley section.
Jul 2021 The NSW Government issued a Request for Tenders for the Technical Advisory Services and Environmental Assessment Services contracts for the project, closing on 21 and 30 July respectively.
Aug 2021 The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements were issued for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the project.
Sep 2021 Transport for NSW awarded the environmental assessment contract to AECOM.
Nov 2021 Transport for NSW awarded the technical advisory services contract to an AECOM and Aurecon joint venture.
May 2022 The NSW Government confirmed an 11-kilometre tunnel from Blackheath to Little Hartley as the preferred option for the Central Package. The proposed dual carriageway tunnel would be Australia’s longest road tunnel.
May 2022 Infrastructure NSW's 2022 State Infrastructure Strategy recommended the project be re-sequenced to avoid delivery risks caused by complexity and a shortage of skilled labour. The NSW Government will assess the strategy's recommendations before making a decision on their implementation.
Jun 2022 TfNSW commenced a Market Interaction Process (MIP) on the Great Western Highway Upgrade – Central Package Blackheath to Little Hartley section, closing on 17 June. The MIP will seek updated industry feedback on the tunnel design and the proposed construction methodology.
Jan 2023 The NSW Department of Planning and Environment placed the project's State Significant Infrastructure application on public exhibition, closing 1st March.
Sector
Road
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
New South Wales |
Infrastructure Australia status
Priority Initiative (near-term, 0-5 years)
Resources
Infrastructure agency resources
Infrastructure NSW - re-sequencing recommendation
Government resources
NSW Planning Portal State Significant Infrastructure project page
Scoping Report - June 2021
Media releases
2020/03/18
2021/05/03
2021/09/13
2022/05/15
2021/11/04
Tender notices
2022/06/07
Project pages
Transport for NSW
Major Contract

East Package - Katoomba to Blackheath

PROJECT STATUS
Under Procurement
East Package - Katoomba to Blackheath

The NSW Government is upgrading the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow.

The upgrade is being delivered across three primary packages: 

  • Central Package - Blackheath to Little Hartley 
  • East Package - Katoomba to Blackheath, and
  • West Package - Little Hartley to Lithgow

The key features of the East Package include widening of the GWH to provide a four-lane divided carriageway:

  • between Rowan Lane, Katoomba and Bellevue Crescent, Medlow Bath (approximately 3.5 kilometres), and
  • between Station Street, Medlow Bath and Evans Lookout Road, Blackheath (approximately 2.4 kilometres).

A construct only contract for a 1.2-kilometre Medlow Bath section is currently under procurement in a separate process.

Key Dates

Feb 2022 ROIs Open: Medlow Bath Package
Apr 2022 ROIs Close: Medlow Bath Package
Jul 2022 ROIs Open: East and West Packages
Aug 2022 ROIs Close: East and West Packages
2023 Expected Construction Commencement: Medlow Bath Package
2025 Expected Construction Completion: Medlow Bath Package

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Transport for NSW
Successful Tenderer: Medlow Bath Package: Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure

PROJECT HISTORY

Dec 2020 Aurecon was engaged to deliver concept design, geotechnical and environmental services, including planning approval for the road duplication, and improved alignment and drainage for the East Package.
Sep 2021 The NSW Government commenced a Market Interaction Process (MIP) for the Medlow Bath construct only contract, closing 1 October.
Feb 2022 Transport for NSW opened Registrations of Interest for the Medlow Bath package.
May 2022 Transport for NSW opened registrations for participation in a Market interaction process for the East and West packages.
Jul 2022 Transport for NSW commenced a Registration of Interest (ROI) process for the design and construction contracts for the East and West packages on the Great Western Highway Upgrade Program (GWHUP). The ROI for the East package comprises a four-lane 6-kilometre divided carriageway upgrade between Katoomba and Blackheath. ROIs close on 18 August.
Dec 2022 Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure was awarded the construct only contract to deliver the 1.2-kilometre Medlow Bath Package.
Sector
Road
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
New South Wales |
Resources
Media releases
2020/12/18
2022/12/21
Tender notices
Medlow Bath - MIP
Medlow Bath ROI
East and West MIP
East and West ROI
Major Contract

West Package - Little Hartley to Lithgow

PROJECT STATUS
Under Procurement
West Package - Little Hartley to Lithgow

The NSW Government is upgrading the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow. The upgrade is being delivered across three primary packages: 

  • Central Package - Blackheath to Little Hartley 
  • East Package - Katoomba to Blackheath, and
  • West Package - Little Hartley to Lithgow

The West Package comprises an upgrade to a four-lane divided highway of 14 kilometres between Little Hartley and Lithgow.

A construct only contract for the Cox’s River Road section is currently under procurement in a separate process.

Key Dates

Mar 2023 Expected Construction Commencement - Cox River Road upgrade

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Transport for NSW
Related contracts:
Cox River Road Interchange
Successful Tenderer - Ertech

Coxs River Road upgrade - early works
Successful Tenderer - Ausconnex

PROJECT HISTORY

Apr 2022 Transport for NSW opened Registrations of Interest for the Coxs River Road Construct only contract.
May 2022 Transport for NSW opened registrations for participation in a Market interaction process for the East and West packages.
Jul 2022 Transport for NSW commenced a Registration of Interest (ROI) process for the design and construction contracts for the East and West packages on the Great Western Highway Upgrade Program (GWHUP). The ROI for the West package comprises a four-lane 11.9-kilometre divided carriageway upgrade between Little Hartley and Lithgow. ROIs close on 18 August.
Aug 2022 Transport for NSW issued the Request for Tender for construction of the Coxs River Road package to shortlisted bidders, closing on the 7th of October.
Sep 2022 Ausconnex was awarded the early works package for the Cox River Road upgrade.
Feb 2023 Ertech was awarded the construction contract for the Cox River Road upgrade.
Sector
Road
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
New South Wales |
Resources
Media releases
2022/09/14
2023/02/03
Tender notices
Market Interaction Process
Coxs River Road - ROI
East and West ROI
Coxs River Road RFT
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