In good news for motorists who regularly travel to Sydney, the long-anticipated plan to remediate two major slope failures on the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass has advanced, with the tender for repairs now open.

The slope failures, which occurred during heavy rain in July 2022, have kept the west-bound slow lane closed since then, impacting motorists on this key route through the Blue Mountains.

The embankment damage was worsened by continuing wet weather throughout 2022, delaying the engineers’ work to assess the full extent of the issue, according to Transport for NSW.

In March 2024, the site was added to the State Heritage Register, requiring further heritage permit applications, which have now been lodged.

Transport for NSW confirmed that the complex design work is complete, and the stabilisation of the slopes is set to begin in April next year.

“Transport for NSW acknowledges the importance of this site and the associated community and agency interest in preserving the Victoria Pass precinct and key transportation heritage as a living component of an operational road network,” said Holly Davies, Acting Director West for Transport for NSW.

The project will involve a specialist contractor and bespoke design solutions to address both upslope and downslope failures, with completion targeted for the end of 2025. Until then, roadside safety barriers will remain in place to ensure public safety.