Australia’s longest road tunnel under investigation for the Blue Mountains

Two proposed tunnels outside Sydney would create the longest road tunnel in Australia – stretching 11km and costing $8 billion.

The Blue Mountains could be the site of Australia’s longest road tunnel with the state government “committed” to building an 11km tunnel between Blackheath and Mount Victoria.

The congestion-busting tunnel would form part of the Great Western Highway upgrade, which could cost as much as $8 billion in total, according to Regional Roads Minister Paul Toole.

Mr Toole yesterday described the proposed tunnel between Blackheath and Mount Victoria as “Northconnex but better” for drivers heading to the central west.

The state government had already committed to build two separate tunnels.

The map for a tunnel now under investigation to link Blackheath to Little Hartley

“We’re very committed to actually seeing these two tunnels being connected,” Mr Toole told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.

“To do this would be a history making project, to do this is going to be an absolute game changer,” he said.

The announcement comes after drivers faced long delays through the mountains over the Easter break.

“The traffic that we see backing up only reiterates the need for a safer and a more reliable connection over the mountains, and that’s exactly why we’re going to deliver this,” Mr Toole said.

The NSW government initially pledged $2.5b to upgrade the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow.

But Mr O’Toole admitted yesterday more money would be required.

“We always said it would cost more than $2.5b,” Mr Toole said.

“It’s still in early days of investigations but now we’ve always said that the Great Western highway project is going to be potentially a $7b or $8b project.

An artist impression of entrances for a tunnel now under investigation to link Blackheath to Little Hartley.

“By putting $2.5b on the table, it’s just showing that we’re serious about delivering a better connection.”

Mr Toole indicated NSW wanted some Commonwealth funding to complete the infrastructure project.

“With big projects like this we, you know, we work with the federal government,” Mr Toole said.

“This is big, this is ambitious, but this is actually going to change the way people go through the mountains.”

How it would look going into the tunnel linking Blackheath to Little Hartley

Once the Great Western Highway is complete it will offer a dual carriageway in both directions for more than 100km.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the tunnel plan was “immensely complex and ­ambitious” but said the government was “working hard to make it happen”.

“We know what a difference it will make to the lives of commuters, to regional businesses who need access to Sydney and vice versa, to freight companies, to families visiting relatives and to holiday makers,” Mr Barilaro said yesterday.

Construction on the Great Western Highway upgrade is expected to start at Medlow Bath in 2022, with the full upgrade expected to be completed within eight to ten years.

Transport for NSW will consult with the community about the upgrade later in the year.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro says the government is working to make the tunnel connection a reality. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer

The NSW Government initially pledged $2.5b to upgrade the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow.

But Mr Toole admitted yesterday that more money will be required.

“We always said it would cost more than $2.5b,” he said.

“It’s still in early days of investigations, but now we’ve always said that the Great Western highway project is going to be potentially (a) $7b or $8b project.

“By putting $2.5b on the table, it’s just showing that we’re serious about delivering a better connection.”

He indicated NSW wants some commonwealth funding to complete the infrastructure project.

“With big projects like this we, you know, we work with the federal government,” he said.

“This is big, this is ambitious, but this is actually going to change the way people go through the mountains.”

Once the Great Western Highway is complete it will offer a dual carriageway in both directions for more than 100km.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the tunnel plan is “immensely complex and ambitious” but said the government is “working hard to make it happen”.

“We know what a difference it will make to the lives of commuters, to regional businesses who need access to Sydney and vice versa, to freight companies, to families visiting relatives and to holiday makers,” he said.

Construction on the Great Western Highway upgrade is expected to start at Medlow

Bath in 2022, with the full upgrade expected to be completed within eight to ten years.

Transport for NSW will consult with the community about the upgrade later this year.