Oil spill closes Blue Mountains highway

An oil spill has closed a NSW highway in both directions as authorities undertake a clean-up.

Authorities are cleaning up an oil spill that forced the Blue Mountains highway to close in both directions . Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

An oil spill has forced the closure of a highway in the NSW Blue Mountains, with traffic being diverted.

The spill on the Great Western Highway occurred about 4.30am on Thursday at Mount Victoria, forcing the highway to close in both directions.

Eastbound traffic is being diverted at Hartley via Browns Gap Road, Hartley Vale Road and Darling Causeway.

Westbound traffic is diverting via Darling Causeway and Chifley Road to Lithgow to return to the highway.

The diversions are suitable for all vehicles.

Motorists are being told to exercise caution, allow extra travel time and follow the directions of traffic crews in the area.

A Transport Management Centre spokesman said traffic was flowing smoothly with the diversions in place.

“They’ve brought a sweeper in to clean up the mess that’s on the road,” he said.

Originally published as Oil spill closes Blue Mountains highway