Vital Blue Mountains highway to be closed for another year as NSW reveals bridge plans

The closure of the Victoria Pass section of the Great Western Highway has forced many commuters and motorists to make major detours to get to Sydney or to other parts of the area. Photograph: Transport for NSW View image in fullscreen The closure of the Victoria Pass section of the Great Western Highway has forced many commuters and motorists to make major detours to get to Sydney or to other parts of the area. Photograph: Transport for NSW Vital Blue Mountains highway to be closed for another year as NSW reveals bridge plans New structure to be built above 194-year-old Mitchells Causeway as residents face months of delays to reopening of Victoria Pass section of highway Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A vital road connecting Sydney with New South Wales’ central west will remain shut for at least another year, leaving Blue Mountains and Central Tablelands residents facing extended travel times and detours for longer than expected. Transport for NSW closed the Victoria Pass section of the Great Western Highway in March after critical structural cracks were detected at Mitchells Causeway, or “Convict Bridge”, a 194-year-old, convict-built infrastructure . The NSW government announced on Friday that a new structure would be built above the bridge, with construction due to start within weeks. The road is now expected to reopen between April and June next year. In March, the NSW roads minister Jenny Aitchison said the road would remain closed for at least three months. Map shows location of Victoria Pass closure of Great Western Highway and diverted road to travel between Sydney and Blue Mountains The bridge was used by about 12,000 vehicles, and its closure has forced many commuters and motorists to make major detours to get to Sydney or to other parts of the area. In a statement, the NSW government said the convict-built causeway would be stabilised as part of the work. The new structure could allow for an additional lane in the future – something that was not possible with the current bridge. Civil engineering contractor Seymour Whyte was selected to construct the new crossing following an accelerated procurement process that drew 10 submissions. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email The state government announced an additional $20m in financial support on Friday. The package increases the grant amount that small businesses experiencing financial hardship in some areas can receive, from $10,000 to $25,000. The package also extends the areas eligible to receive support. The minister for regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said the financial relief would be paired with ongoing logistical support to keep communities connected. The government will put on free coaches and spend $50m on ongoing upgrades to detour routes. The Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District said the updated timeline would not compromise local healthcare. Community response Despite the certaint