# New South Wales highway closures and transport disruptions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/new-south-wales-highway-closures-and-transport-disruptions > Updated: 2026-08-17T06:05:00.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. The closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass and Mitchell’s Causeway has caused significant logistical and social disruptions in New South Wales. Freight operators, represented by the Livestock Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA), have reported that the closures force longer detours, which increases fuel costs and driver hours while reducing productivity for routes between Sydney and Central Western NSW. In response to broader transport changes, the NSW government also introduced toll reforms, including a heavy-vehicle toll multiplier of 3.15 times the light-vehicle rate. Local residents in the Blue Mountains, specifically within the Clarence, Bell, and Dargan communities, are facing daily disruptions. Since the March closure, an estimated 12,000 additional vehicles per day, including heavy trucks, have been diverted onto the Darling Causeway and Chifley Road. This increased traffic has led to deteriorating road conditions, safety concerns, and increased driver aggression. The congestion is also reportedly impacting the Lithgow area and causing isolation for elderly residents. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-17: Blue Mountains residents face disruption from highway closure Residents in the Blue Mountains face isolation and safety concerns as a Great Western Highway closure diverts 12,000 extra vehicles daily onto the deteriorating Darling Causeway detour. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/blue-mountains-residents-face-disruption-from-highway-closure ### 2026-08-05: NSW freight operators confront highway closure and toll reforms NSW freight groups demand swift reopening of the Great Western Highway closure and clearer details on new heavy‑vehicle toll reforms affecting regional carriers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nsw-freight-operators-confront-highway-closure-and-toll-reforms --- Cite as: New South Wales highway closures and transport disruptions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/new-south-wales-highway-closures-and-transport-disruptions