Lithgow Council complete sealing of Hartley Vale Road for a safer journey

The works were part of the NSW Government's $500 million Fixing Local Roads Program in which Lithgow City Council received $1.3 million to fix priority roads within the local area, including Dark Corner.

The Australian Government is also supporting the first two rounds of the program and have committed $191 million.

A total of $413,600 was spent on 1.8 kilometres of the Hartley Vale Road which acts as an egress from the valley into the Darling Causeway.

Lithgow City mayor Cr Ray Thompson said the roadworks included vegetation control, reconstruction of the road base and surface, sealing, line marking and installation of guide posts.

"It's sealed and it's a wonderful job, the locals are absolutely happy," he said.

Cr Thompson said the sealing of Hartley Vale Road was a priority.

"This acts as a second egress now into the valley, if the mandatory pass is blocked and often it is because of breakdowns or trucks or accidents...

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"Now there is another [route] without having to go all the way around through Bell to get into Lithgow - you can come around through the Darling Causeway and come through Hartley," he said.

Cr Thompson said it was great to be able to fix local roads with grant money.

"We're more than happy with the outcome and we'r e not only fixing Hartley but also Dark Corner, Capertee and all around Glen Davis and Glen Alice," he said.

"Come this time next year, most of our local roads will be well and truly sealed," he said.

Member for Bathurst and minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the sealed road was better for locals and visitors alike.

"It's not just great for locals, but also visitors that are coming through the Hartely Valley.

"Now that it's sealed it's going to make a much smoother and more reliable trip for those journeys," he said.