Plan ahead for Blue Mountains travel over the next two weekends

Transport for NSW is encouraging motorists travelling between Sydney and the Central West this weekend and next to plan ahead, with delays expected for motorists crossing the Blue Mountains.

The Great Western Highway remains closed at Victoria Pass with local detours in place via the Darling Causeway, Chifley Road and Main Street, Lithgow. 

Motorists using the detour route are advised to allow extra travel time, with the detour adding up to an extra hour during peak periods.

Significant delays are expected across the coming long weekend and traffic is also expected to be heavy a week later following the Bathurst 1000.

Local traffic around Lithgow should also expect delays due to the increased number of vehicles moving through the area.

For the coming long weekend, delays are expected on Monday 5 October on Bells Line of Road and on the Great Western Highway between Glenbrook and Blackheath.

On Monday 12 October and Tuesday 13 October, motorists should expect congestion in Cowra, Blayney and Bathurst as race fans head home following the Bathurst 1000.

Local road closures may be implemented in Lithgow to manage congestion.

Transport for NSW advises all motorists to stick to main roads to leave local roads clear for emergency services and local residents.

Depending on your destination, motorists may wish to consider alternative routes such as the Golden Highway or Hume Highway, or explore the additional public transport services on offer.

NSW TrainLink has two fully accessible coaches running temporary free turn-up-and-go services daily between Bathurst and Katoomba. These free services will travel in both directions and stop at Katoomba, Blackheath, Mount Victoria, Clarence, Lithgow and Bathurst train stations.

Sydney Trains is running additional services to and from the Blue Mountains to support travel to and from the region.

For services available between Bathurst and Katoomba, visit Transport NSW Info. For up-to-date information, always check the Trip Planner.

Motorists travelling to the Hartley Valley are also reminded the Great Western Highway remains open between Lithgow and Little Hartley.

Transport will have a number of measures in place to help manage congestion through the Blue Mountains.

Staff will be patrolling the Great Western Highway and detours to assist with end-of-queue management and incident response. The Transport Management Centre (TMC) will be monitoring traffic flow through the Lithgow/Blue Mountains area and will change traffic lights as needed.

If vehicles begin to queue eastbound at Scenic Hill, a traffic management plan will be put in place to prevent breakdowns.

For more details and tips to navigate the long weekend visit the Holiday and Journey Planning website.

For more information about the ongoing emergency roadwork at Victoria Pass, or to subscribe to our Traffic Control Centre for advice about road closures or changes to conditions on the detour route, visit Great Western Highway road closure at Victoria Pass.

Stay up-to-date and follow the progress by visiting the website for regular photos of what is happening at Victoria Pass, or visit https://www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/267022.

For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.