Now we have the possibility of a tunnel under Blackheath, thus avoiding at three sets of traffic lights and several intersections.
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And in Mt Victoria, residents can now expect a bypass tunnel but will lose several homes and establishments in the process.
But what about Medlow Bath?
No tunnel, no choice, no good news, no overdue safety improvements and no reduction in travel times but a significantly more dangerous 950m of duplicated highway with limited access and exit to the service station and Hydro Majestic.
However, it is now acknowledged the cost of tunnelling is falling and the cost of highway and viaduct construction is rising, so will the Minister for Trainless-Transport and Regressive Roads consider a very long tunnel as an alternative?
The cost of a single long tunnel from Katoomba to Hartley, independently budgeted, is comparable to the cost of upgrading the highway with separate tunnels under Blackheath and Mt Victoria, four expensive portals and an expensive viaduct down to Hartley, together with property resumptions, impact on water catchments, at least one overhead pedestrian bridge, relocation of the poor old Explorers Tree and major traffic disruptions over several years while existing roads are duplicated and re-aligned.
By contrast, a single tunnel will deliver a significant saving in travel times, increased safety, little disruption to traffic or life in the villages and may even quieten those complaining residents of Medlow Bath who really only want long-overdue minor safety improvements to two existing intersections!
Russell Brown
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