Great Western Highway: $200m funding secured for Victoria Pass rebuild

The Australian Federal Government has committed $100 million to the Great Western Highway project, matching a $100 million allocation from the NSW Government. This $200 million joint investment aims to rebuild Victoria Pass and Mitchell’s Causeway, which have been closed since March 2026 due to structural cracking and ground movement.

The reconstruction includes building a new concrete road deck supported by piles anchored into the bedrock. In addition to the repairs, the project will add a third eastbound climbing lane to improve safety and alleviate freight bottlenecks. While the main two lanes are expected to be completed and reopened to traffic by the second quarter of 2027, the additional climbing lane will be constructed during the final stages of the project.

The Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) has welcomed the funding, noting the highway is a critical national freight artery. However, some regional critics argue the project is a temporary fix, suggesting that more transformational infrastructure, such as a bypass tunnel, is needed to address long-term congestion and safety concerns.