Blue Mountains Expressway - Enjoy Bell's Line while you can

[Dave_au]

Looks like the historic, scenic, and down right fun road to drive on is about to get the Iemma touch.

From SMH:

Expressway plan for Blue Mountains
November 10, 2005 - 2:24PM

A proposed four lane expressway from Sydney across the Blue Mountains to western NSW would reduce road deaths and provide social and economic benefits to the whole state, its backers say.

The proposed Bells Line Expressway would link with the M7 near Quakers Hill, cross the Hawkesbury River near Windsor and follow the route of the Bells Line of Road across the mountains to emerge north of Lithgow.

The Bells Line Expressway Group, which includes MPs from both sides of politics at a federal, state and local level, said the project would link Sydney with the central west of the state.

"The provision of a fast, safe road over the Blue Mountains has been a dream since the early days of settlement," said BLEG chairman and Nationals MP for Lachlan Ian Armstrong.

"We now have the ability to make that dream a reality."

The estimated $2 billion road would be a 100-110 kph four lane route, with construction scheduled to start in 2008 for completion in 2012.

The two main roads across the mountains, the Great Western Highway and the Bells Line of Road, are the two most dangerous highways in NSW per kilometre travelled, according to an NRMA study.

Mr Armstrong said the expressway would save lives by providing the first flood-free escape route for people living in the Hawkesbury/Windsor area, and be much safer for motorists through reduced congestion and less bends in the road.

The expressway would also cut at least half an hour off existing travel times between Windsor and Lithgow, he said.

Mr Armstrong said the project should be jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and he was confident it would receive government approval.

"We said we would launch the project, we would walk it through the public ... and we will go back to them and talk serious business to get (the roads minister's) commitment to commence the plan of construction," Mr Armstrong said.

Mr Armstrong said the road would be popular with motorists despite recent problems with infrastructure projects like the Cross City Tunnel and Lane Cove Tunnel.

"Let's forget about what's happened with past (roads); I think we can learn from those experiences and we can do this one well and make a success of it," he said.

But Mr Armstrong did back away from putting a toll on the road.

"It could be a toll road but I must say I'm more attracted, in light of recent events, to the concept of a government-owned road," he said.

AAP

Will be great, but they still need 2 lanes each way for the whole length of the Great Western Highway over the mountains. Although with the recent upgrades ie overpass near Katoomba has helped traffic congestion so much.

Yeah it is a fun road to drive, but when its 2am in the morning and all you wanna do is get home, road becomes dangerous no matter how well rested you are

[KEV EB XR8]

What ever happened to the infamous tunnel through the mountains from penrith to little hartley, or was that the tunnel borer that got buried under concrete at lane cove

[Keepleft]

Provided the overall freeway design includes adequate median reserve to allow future expansion to three lanes in time, then the plan would be favourable.

The 2 billion dollar estimate is way under the real end of construction figure for this tricky and environmentally sensitive area which bears significant green lobby groups. These cost money.

Following WW2 the US forces offered to builf a dual carriageway from Orange to Sydney, a similar plan was offered for the Pacific expressway. These would have given us 'US Interstate' quality roads, okay, but in modern times not as inherently safe as Euro type. These plans were a 'thanks' for Australia's efforts during WW2. National pride said no.

A US firm built part of the F3, Mooney Mooney to Mt White.

[zetec]

Shame it takes half an hour to drive to Windsor from the M4... sounds great, especially as a non-toll road.

*edit* DAMN just read the post above from keepleft. SCREW National pride, that was national stupidity!!!!!! What an offer!!!!! : : :

Hmmm on further thought stuff the upgrades to Bells lin, and upgrade the GWH, with overpasses and slip roads. Make the road 100ks each way.

[XLS99 Ute man]

it would be good with the gwh aswell thats pretty much 4 lanes up 4 lanes down

[Hardtopxb]

AAAAH. the old BELL'S LINE of ROAD.. i remember on more than one occasion my mate and i innocently driving this road in our hotted up FORDs(XA hardtop/XY GT ) and bieng confronted by some very nasty holdens, who somehow found out we were testing on this road(at3am)we naturaly had to see them off.. yes a real shame if this road goes to progress..

[The G6ET Spot]

Originally Posted by Keepleft

Provided the overall freeway design includes adequate median reserve to allow future expansion to three lanes in time, then the plan would be favourable.

The 2 billion dollar estimate is way under the real end of construction figure for this tricky and environmentally sensitive area which bears significant green lobby groups. These cost money.

Following WW2 the US forces offered to builf a dual carriageway from Orange to Sydney, a similar plan was offered for the Pacific expressway. These would have given us 'US Interstate' quality roads, okay, but in modern times not as inherently safe as Euro type. These plans were a 'thanks' for Australia's efforts during WW2. National pride said no.

A US firm built part of the F3, Mooney Mooney to Mt White.

They weren't going to build it for free it was going to cost 40 million dollars to build a 4 lane freeway from Melbourne to Brisbane. A lot of money addmitadely in 1945, but a damn lot cheaper in dollar terms to what it will cost today. Just goes to show you the politicians were just as brain dead then as they are now.

[Kingsley]

Originally Posted by Hardtopxb

AAAAH. the old BELL'S LINE of ROAD.. i remember on more than one occasion my mate and i innocently driving this road in our hotted up FORDs(XA hardtop/XY GT ) and bieng confronted by some very nasty holdens, who somehow found out we were testing on this road(at3am)we naturaly had to see them off.. yes a real shame if this road goes to progress..

I used to have similar experiences on the same stretch driving a XA GTcoupe!! As long as it's kept "toll free" I'd be happy to use it. Besides the fun factor for me these days is driving the Putty in the XR8.

[Mechan1k]

God haven't we got enough new roads.

Seeing all the new roads/motorways that are being built have tolls on them pretty much ... I can't see it going to be a freeway.

I know Gt Western Hwy is being upgraded in parts .... and there's no toll on it .... i can't see a whole new road being toll-free.

Bells Line does need an upgrade ... and a bloody good one ... it's a fun road to drive ... but can be dangerous as weather turns bad ... and dangerous with all the Sunday drivers who have no idea out there as well.

It's going to make a hell of a mess up my way if they start on it (I live about 5km from Bells Line of Road up near Kurrajong) ... more traffic troubles ... have had enough of it with the M7 being built

[outback_ute]

I will have to make sure I get up there to drive the current road (about 20 times lol) before they build the expressway!

[bindi]

Originally Posted by Dave_au

The two main roads across the mountains, the Great Western Highway and the Bells Line of Road, are the two most dangerous highways in NSW per kilometre travelled, according to an NRMA study.

Doesn't surprise me at all. I drive the GWH every day at various times and it is a shocker, even if you know the road well as a local.

Originally Posted by ArgonEF

Hmmm on further thought stuff the upgrades to Bells lin, and upgrade the GWH, with overpasses and slip roads. Make the road 100ks each way.

Can't happen. There are too many towns on the GWH that make it impossible to speed through. Bells Line doesn't have nearly as many towns on it but it's still the same scenario.

Also, the greenies up here will block everything and anything. The Blue Mountains is a volatile ecological area and we can't just asphalt over the top of everything. FFS, the environmentalists up here protested so much over that godawful movie Stealth being filmed in Leura (they were going to have to blow up some trees or something) that production was stopped - and ended up having to make the movie somewhere else (NZ I think).

Also think of the town of Lawson. Ever since I moved up here 19 years ago now they have been arguing over the Hwy widening. It needs to be done but there is only space for one lane each way. It's actually a very dangerous spot for pedestrians...

Anyway, people power has managed to block development for this long in Lawson. I cannot see an expressway being built without so much debate, anger and protests that the plan may end up shelved... like what Kev is talking about - yes that proposed tunnel was a wet dream of some pollie, glad it didn't get off the ground

I realise our needs as an enviornmentally sensitive area are at odds with the need for upgrade/progress/safety - I understand both sides of the argument and am still not sure what to do. The widening of the hwy is necessary, pure and simple. In some parts it is so dangerous that something has to be done, whether it means knocking over a few trees that can be moved/replaced.

[Au2falcons]

Something tells me I should take the AU for a bells run this weekend.

I really hope they don't mess with this road, ok improve the road safety wise but don't turn it into a freeway!

A warning to the govenrment DONT MESS WITH THE MOUNTAINS!!!!!

Ahhhhhh....that feels better

[RAREV8]

Can't happen. There are too many towns on the GWH that make it impossible to speed through. Bells Line doesn't have nearly as many towns on it but it's still the same scenario.

I realise our needs as an enviornmentally sensitive area are at odds with the need for upgrade/progress/safety - I understand both sides of the argument and am still not sure what to do. The widening of the hwy is necessary, pure and simple. In some parts it is so dangerous that something has to be done, whether it means knocking over a few trees that can be moved/replaced.[/QUOTE]


Agreed, I drive to Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Mudgee etc every month and also Wagga, Griffith,Young etc and whilst this can be tiring and a motorway would be more time efficient, I do'nt think that is is practical without completely bypassing most of the little towns along the way.
You would either have far too many exits or only a couple of exits, all leading along the existing GWH thus not really eliminating much of the traffic problem.

I tend to stay awake easier when I have to concentrate on windy roads anyway!
Lets hope that they don't ruin what is one of Australias most delicate and beautiful riegons.

[Black XR6]

Well personally i think its a terrific idea and cant wait. Even if its a toll way id take that road over bells line. That road is downright dangerous for the masses.

I hope they do what they did the with F3 and leave the old road still in tact. Which makes a lot of sense sa if there is an accident or something on the freeway, the old road will still serve its purpose.

Bring it on!

[bindi]

Originally Posted by Black XR6

I hope they do what they did the with F3 and leave the old road still in tact. Which makes a lot of sense sa if there is an accident or something on the freeway, the old road will still serve its purpose.

Yeah well that's the major issue with the GWH, if there is an accident the only way around is either a few back roads here and there or Bells Line which bypasses the main mountains towns and you have to loop back around to get home.

Another way around an accident would be a good thing!