Leura to Katoomba

As part of the Great Western Highway upgrade, the Roads and Traffic Authority has widened the previously two lane highway between Willow Park Avenue, Leura to Bowling Green Avenue, Katoomba to a four lane divided highway with a centre median.

The work was undertaken in two sections:

• Section one - between Willow Park Avenue and Kings Road. 
• Section two - between Kings Road and Bowling Green Avenue.

Status

Section 1 –  Completed.

This section, including the bridge over the Great Western Highway at Leura Mall, was completed in May 2006. Landscaping of section one is now complete and the contract is in its maintenance period.

Section 2 – Completed, apart from landscaping currently underway.

Construction of section two started in December 2006 and was officially opened to traffic on 15 March 2009 by the Minister for Roads, Michael Daley and the Member for Blue Mountains, Phil Koperberg.

Official opening (from left) State Member for Blue Mountains Phil Koperberg, NSW Minister for Roads Michael Daley, Federal Member for Macquarie Bob Debus and RTA Acting Chief Executive Michael Bushby.

For a copy of the media release please click here.

Funding

This project was fully funded by the NSW Government.

Project features

• An underpass at Leura Mall to improve traffic flow.
• Four lane divided highway upgrade.
• Construction of retaining walls between Kings Road and Queens Road, and at Katoomba Showground, to support the new eastbound carriageway.
• New traffic signals at the Woodland Road deviation.
• New intersections at Willow Park Avenue, Leura Mall, East View Avenue, Queens Road, Orient Street and Camp Street.
• A new, shared pedestrian and cycle path will be constructed on the highway's northern side.
• New cycle lanes on highway shoulder.
• New link roads for local traffic, including buses.

Project benefits

The upgrading of the Great Western Highway between Leura and Katoomba will have a number of major benefits for both the local community and motorists:

• Quicker journeys - in the region and to Sydney.
• Improved local access - the Leura to Katoomba upgrade includes changes to several intersections. 
• Other local roads have been closed at the highway and connected to main intersections by new local link roads. Buses service the community from this improved local road network.
• Improved pedestrian and cyclist access and safety - access for commuter and long distance cyclists is provided by cycle lanes on the shoulder of the highway. A new, shared pedestrian and cycle path has been constructed on the highway's northern side.
• Local heritage – preservation of significant local natural and cultural landmarks, including the Chateau Napier site, the sandstone retaining wall between Kings and Queens roads and the stand of Blue Mountains Ash trees opposite the hospital.
• Local environment - extensive landscaping was included in the Leura to Katoomba upgrade. Planting has been established along the highway and local native woodland species planted to supplement existing areas of natural bushland west of Queens Road.

Community consultation

A community liaison group met from January 2003 to exchange information during the construction period. Meetings were held bi-monthly and attended by representatives from Blue Mountains City Council, local businesses and residents.

For further information

For further information about the project please contact RTA project manager Siva_Subramaniam on phone 02 4784 4511 or email Siva_Subramaniam@rta.nsw.gov.au