Blue Mountains residents face disruption from highway closure

Residents of the Clarence, Bell, and Dargan communities in the Blue Mountains are facing significant disruption due to the ongoing closure of Mitchell's Causeway on the Great Western Highway. Since the closure in March, approximately 12,000 additional vehicles per day, including heavy freight trucks, have been diverted onto the Darling Causeway and Chifley Road.

The detour route is reportedly deteriorating, and residents have expressed concerns regarding increased driver aggression and safety risks. The heavy traffic is causing isolation for older community members and creating uncertainty for parents regarding school pickups. Additionally, the increased volume is impacting the Lithgow area and causing significant delays and accidents during busy periods.