<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The only route between </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="" title="Sydney"><span>Sydney</span></a><span> and the state's west is set to be shut for at least three months as more than two decades of neglect have caught up to the convict-built roadway.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Great Western Highway's </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span> Pass is threatening to collapse under the weight of inaction.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're saying to the community today it's going to be about a minimum of three months if everything goes to plan, and then we'll get the road back up," Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/kmart-named-australias-number-1-retailer-in-power-retail-all-star-bash-awards/5440934e-1d21-4ddd-806e-d8393bb5175c" target="_blank"><strong><span>Australia's No.1 retailer named as last year's winner plunges</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have to put </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/road-safety" rel="" target="" title="safety"><span>safety</span></a><span> first, the people who would be put at risk, who could die on this mountain if we don't act now."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Great Western Highway is closed between Mount Victoria and Little Hartley, and drivers are being urged to join the Bells Line of Road from Richmond or Mount Victoria.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Both routes are sending all traffic into the town of Lithgow.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/sydneys-only-route-to-nsws-west-shut-until-winter/13c3ae71-b77b-4c83-bf5e-52b1275501ad" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's my community that's copping the brunt, we have 11,000 </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/motoring" rel="" target="" title="cars"><span>cars</span></a><span> going through Lithgow, we need a solution," a local speaker in Lithgow said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>People in communities such as Little Hartley say they are stranded with no through </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/traffic" rel="" target="" title="traffic"><span>traffic</span></a><span> due to the closures, taking a major toll on business in the town.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Takings are down 75 per cent at the moment," a Little Hartley business owner said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/man-missing-from-water-near-houseboat-search-and-rescue-burnett-heads/78215943-eea7-43c2-af27-0bdf380811bf" target="_blank"><strong><span>Search underway for man who vanished off a houseboat amid Queensland floods</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Some community members are asking for </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/finance" rel="" target="" title="financial"><span>financial</span></a><span> support," Aitchison said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="" title="NSW"><span>NSW</span></a><span> Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane is calling for a better alternative for the road closures that are set to be in effect until winter.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There needs to be a short-term solution that's faster than three months, and there needs to a longer-term solution for that incredibly busy and important highway."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Despite Sloane pointing the finger at Labor, observers insist both sides are to blame.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>On the first weekend of the three-month closure, there will be extra trains, including to Bathurst, which is set to host the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/nrl" rel="" target="" title="NRL"><span>NRL</span></a><span>'s Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers on Saturday night.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a 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