34km long tunnel plan

AUSTRALIA’S longest road tunnel is set to be built in the Blue Mountains.

The mammoth 11km stretch will be constructed from Blackheath to Little Hartley as part of upgrades to the Great Western Highway.

An $8bn revamp will transform the road, add 34km of dual carriageways and connect the Blue Mountains and central west to Sydney.

The NSW government had previously intended to build two tunnels but began considering the possibility of a singular, longer tunnel in 2021.

Construction on the tunnel is set to begin at the end of 2024 and will be operational by 2028.