Community campaign secures $100m for new overtaking lane on closed highway

After years of persistent advocacy from local residents

After years of persistent advocacy from local residents and businesses, a major funding package has been unlocked to restore a key regional artery. The federal government has pledged $100 million toward the Great Western Highway, a sum that matches a previous commitment from the New South Wales state administration. The combined investment will finance the creation of a dedicated overtaking lane along a stretch of road that has remained shut since severe weather damage in 2022.

The announcement came after a coordinated push by community groups, who argued that the prolonged closure was strangling local economies and forcing motorists onto lengthy detours. Their efforts included petition drives, public meetings, and direct appeals to elected officials, which ultimately swayed both levels of government. The new lane is expected to improve traffic flow and safety once the highway is fully reopened, a project that has faced repeated delays due to engineering challenges and funding disputes.

Under the agreement, the Commonwealth and NSW will each contribute $50 million, with construction set to begin in the coming months. The overtaking lane will be built on a particularly narrow and winding section, where overtaking has historically been hazardous. Officials say the design will also include upgraded drainage and slope stabilization to reduce the risk of future landslides, which were the primary cause of the current closure.

Local mayor Jenny Thompson welcomed the news, describing

Local mayor Jenny Thompson welcomed the news, describing it as a victory for grassroots persistence. "This is what happens when a community refuses to be ignored," she said. "We fought for every dollar, and now we have a commitment that will not only reopen our road but make it better than before." The funding has also been praised by trucking associations, which have long called for safer overtaking opportunities on one of the state's busiest freight routes.

The project is scheduled for completion by late 2026, with temporary access measures expected to ease current restrictions earlier. While the announcement has been met with relief, some residents remain cautious, noting that similar promises have been scaled back in the past. Still, for now, the focus is on the shovels hitting the ground, and the long-awaited return of normal travel along this vital corridor.