Kelso to Raglan - Great Western Highway Upgrade Program

Reviewed

Project overview

Please be sure to sign up to our ENews list so that you never miss an update about the project. Together, the Australian and NSW Governments are investing more than $4.5 billion towards upgrading the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow. Together, the Australian and NSW Governments have committed more than $2.5 billion towards the East and West sections of the Great Western Highway Upgrade, between Katoomba and Blackheath, and between Little Hartley and Lithgow, respectively. Together, the Australian Government and the NSW Government have committed more than $2.5 billion towards the East and West sections of the Great Western Highway Upgrade, between Katoomba and Blackheath, and between Little Hartley and Lithgow, respectively. Together, the Australian and NSW Governments are investing more than $4.5 billion towards upgrading the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow. The Katoomba to Lithgow duplication will provide major economic and safety benefits. It will improve the connection between Central West NSW and Sydney, reduce congestion, improve resilience and freight productivity, and provide a safer and more reliable journey for thousands of residents, commuters, tourists and freight operators who travel in, around and through the Blue Mountains. The NSW Government has committed $73 million in funding to upgrade the Great Western Highway between Kelso and Raglan to improve safety and efficiency, and reduce travel time along this section of the highway. Roads and Maritime Services has completed the safety upgrades and road improvements on the Great Western Highway between Hartley Valley and Forty Bends. The project was part of the $250 million upgrade package on the Great Western Highway, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments. Roads and Maritime Services has carried out work on safety upgrades and road improvements on the Great Western Highway through Mount Victoria village as part of the Australian and NSW governments joint undertaking of a $250 million upgrade package on the highway between Katoomba and Lithgow to improve traffic flow, safety and travel conditions. In 2012 the NSW and Australian governments agreed on a $250 million revised program of work for the upgrade of the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow. The Australian and New South Wales governments are upgrading the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow for easier, faster and safer travel between Katoomba and Lithgow. The jointly funded $250 million Great Western Highway Safety upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow has been delivered, with safety works at Blackheath now complete. The Great Western Highway is the key east west road freight transport connection between Sydney and Central West NSW, and the amount of road freight on the Highway is projected to grow 20 per cent by 2036. The Great Western Highway Upgrade Program is striving to set new benchmarks in employment, skills and industry development outcomes in NSW. Skills, Employment and Industry Development aims to maximise outcomes for the local and regional communities and industry and contribute to skills development and diversity within the infrastructure sector. The Great Western Highway is one of Australia’s most historic roads and a key eastwest connection out of Sydney. Over the last 100 years, the NSW Government has progressively upgraded sections of the highway to make it safer and more reliable.

Great Western Highway at Raglan
Kelso to Raglan upgrade map
Kelso to Raglan upgrade map

Latest news

NOV2022

NOV 2022Traffic switch on the Great Western Highway at Raglan

From Tuesday 29 November traffic on the Great Western Highway between PJ Moodie Memorial Drive and Nile Street will be moved onto the newly constructed road. Read more in the notification letter (PDF, 325Kb).

NOV2022

NOV 2022Work is progressing on the GWH between Kelso and Raglan

he landscape plan for the Eastern entrance to Bathurst has started to come to life with the first stage of landscaping complete. 50 trees have been planted on the northern side of the Great Western Highway at Raglan.

OCT2022

OCT 2022Kelso to Raglan upgrade receives $28 million boost

The NSW Government has committed an additional $28 million to a major upgrade of the Great Western Highway between Kelso and Raglan to make it more resilient against extreme weather. View the funding announcement media release to learn more.

AUG2022

AUG 2022See what’s happened on site at Raglan lately

The first trees are in as part of the Kelso to Raglan upgrade. Watch the video below to find out more

FEB2022

FEB 2022what’s happening on site at Raglan lately

Despite the challenges of Covid and wet weather in 2021, we kept things moving at Raglan on the Great Western Highway upgrade. Watch the video below to find out more.


OCT2021

OCT 2021Work is progressing on the GWH between Kelso and Raglan

Since the commencement of construction in January the project is now starting to take shape with earthworks and ground stabilisation in front of the Bathurst Regional Airport complete and earthworks in front of the BP underway. More information in the October 2021 community update (PDF, 1.24Mb).

MAR2021

MAR 2021New treescape revealed for entry to Bathurst

The eastern entrance to Bathurst will get a significant face-lift as part of the NSW Government's $45 million upgrade of the Great Western Highway between Kelso and Raglan.


Transport for NSW has been working closely with local greening and historic groups as well as Bathurst Council on the avenue of trees to ensure they’re selected with future climate resilience in mind and strategically placed to improve road safety and reduce the likelihood of fallen limbs or trees disrupting highway traffic.

The iconic tree-lined avenue will be recreated using a variety of trees with strong seasonal change traits in distinct arrangements along the road.

View the New treescape revealed for entry to Bathurst media release to read more.

FEB2021

FEB 2021Work starts on highway duplication from Kelso to Raglan

Construction has begun on a $45 million project to make a safer and more efficient Great Western Highway east of Bathurst.


Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said work to duplicate the highway between Kelso and Raglan would benefit locals, tourists and freight operators on this popular stretch of highway in the state's Central West.

“The finished product will improve traffic flow and reduce travel times, especially during peak periods like holidays, major events and the Bathurst 1000 for the Supercars,” Mr Toole said.
View or download the 28 January 2021 media release.

Project information

This part of the Great Western Highway upgrade in Central Western NSW extends from Ashworth Drive in Kelso, to Ceramic Avenue at the east of Raglan, near Bathurst. The Great Western Highway between Kelso and Raglan is often congested during major events, holiday seasons and weekends, and the upgrade will significantly improve travel efficiency during these times.

Transport for NSW has been progressively upgrading sections of the Great Western Highway since 2015. The most recent Great Western Highway upgrade at Kelso opened to traffic in March 2017. Other nearby projects underway include the Great Western Highway duplication between Katoomba and Lithgow and safety upgrades at Glanmire, Walang and Meadow Flat with an additional 4 projects planned for construction between Lithgow and Bathurst in the next two years.

Transport for NSW is delivering this work as part of its commitment to ease traffic congestion along the Great Western Highway, improve road safety for all motorists and to support Central Western communities of NSW.

What are the project benefits?

  • Reduced congestion, particularly during major events and holiday periods.
  • A much smoother drive and reduced road maintenance requirements.
  • Improved access to Bathurst Airport.
  • Improved connections for regional communities.
  • Improved road safety for all road users.
  • Improved flood immunity of the highway.
  • Improved pedestrian and bicycle access to Kelso.

What are the project features?

  • Two lanes in each direction from Ashworth Drive to Napoleon Street.
  • Two lanes eastbound and one lane westbound from Napoleon Street to the east of Ceramic Avenue.
  • Safer turning paths at intersections with the highway.
  • Removing the right turn from the Highway into property accesses to improve safety and reduce the risk of collision.
  • Installing traffic lights at the PJ Moodie intersection to improve access and safety.
  • Installation of a shared footpath from Ashworth Drive to Eugenie Street.

Transport for NSW has commenced early work on the Kelso to Raglan upgrade. This work includes installing project signage and fencing, utility relocation and site establishment as well as transferring large equipment to the site and is expected to continue through December with major construction to commence in January 2021. The project is expected to take two and a half years to complete, weather permitting.

Transport for NSW is committed to involving the community in delivering this upgrade. We will continue to work with the community and stakeholders to understand issues and minimise potential impacts. We will keep the community updated as the project progresses.

Great Western Highway upgrade Kelso to Raglan Westbound from Napoleon Street


Project documents


Project notifications

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 January 2023 project notification

Night works on Great Western Highway, Raglan from January 15

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 November 2022 project notification

Traffic switch on the Great Western Highway at Raglan from November 29.

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 November 2022 project notification

Night works on Great Western Highway, Raglan from November 13.

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 October 2022 project notification

Night works on Great Western Highway, Raglan from November 6.

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 June 2022 project notification

Night works on Great Western Highway at Raglan from 19 June 2022.

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 April 2022 project notification

Night works on Great Western Highway at Raglan from 26 April

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 March 2022 project notification

Tree removal on the Great Western Highway at Raglan on Wednesday 6 April.

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 February 2022 project notification

Detour and changed traffic conditions on the Great Western Highway, Raglan, from Monday 21 February.

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 December 2021 project notification

Tree removal on the Great Western Highway at Raglan from Monday 20 December.

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 August 2021 essential maintenance notification

Essential maintenance on the Great Western Highway at Raglan.

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 March 2021 project notification

Tree removal on Great Western Highway from Kelso to Raglan.

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 January 2021 project notification

Work starts on the Great Western Highway between Kelso and Raglan from Thursday 28 January.

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Community updates

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 November 2022 community update

Great Western Highway upgrade – Kelso to Raglan

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 October 2021 community update

Great Western Highway upgrade – Kelso to Raglan

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 October 2020 community update

Great Western Highway upgrade – Kelso to Raglan start of early works

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 July 2019 community update

Great Western Highway upgrade – Kelso to Raglan

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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 March 2021 frequently asked questions

Great Western Highway upgrade - Kelso to Raglan tree removal.

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 October 2020 frequently asked questions

Great Western Highway upgrade – Kelso to Raglan - Kelso to Raglan Industry FAQ

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 July 2019 frequently asked questions

Great Western Highway upgrade – Kelso to Raglan - Display of concept design.

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Contact us

Phone: 1800 953 777

Email: kelsotoraglan@transport.nsw.gov.au