Member for Bathurst Paul Toole was joined by Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey, and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance to make the announcement.

One of the first steps in the plan is a $30 million upgrade to the Great Western Highway between Kelso and Raglan, beginning with a $10 million spend over the 2018-19 financial year.

The plan also includes a $28 million upgrade to Chifley Road at Scenic Hill on Bells Line, with $5 million to be spent in 2018-19, and $22 million on the Clarence rail bridge, $6 million of which is allocated in 2018-19.

There is also $15 million allocated in 2018-19 to planning for the highway duplication from Katoomba to Lithgow. 

Mr Toole said upgrades would deliver faster and safer passages over the mountains. 

“This is a fantastic day for people of the Central West,” he said.

“We’ve really taken the next step in actually supercharging transport options for people living west of the great divide.”

In addition to the significant spend on major roads, it was announced there would be a multi-agency task force assembled in Bathurst to deliver a transport masterplan. 

"We're delighted that former Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie has agreed to set up a task force and be part and lead that task force for the transport options for the Central West," Ms Pavey said.

On Friday the government announced it would relinquish its previous plans for the ‘Castlereagh Corridor’, the land set aside to link the Bells Line of Road with the M7 motorway.

Opposition spokesperson for roads Jodi McKay said the decision was “an embarrassing backflip”.

“The Minister should make her way to the Central West and make a grovelling apology for this sad and sorry episode,” she said.

“It is yet another humiliation for the Nationals when they can’t even deliver lines on a map.”