After a year of high-visibility vests and hard hats along the Great Western Highway at Meadow Flat, it’s a wrap, with a safer, wider road and entrance to Meadow Flat Public School.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole the $8.5 million project included rebuilding the road, improving drainage, roadside barrier and widening the centreline and shoulders along a 2.2-kilometre section of the Great Western Highway.

“This work was about delivering safety upgrades that will improve driving conditions for motorists and provide a more reliable journey on the Great Western Highway through Meadow Flat,” Mr Toole said.

“This part of the Great Western Highway is a key route for residents, visitors and the freight industry, because it connects road users to the booming regional centres of Lithgow and Bathurst.

“The widened centreline provides room for errant vehicles, which reduces the incidence of head-on crashes by up to 50 per cent and run off road crashes by up to 25 per cent.

“Widened shoulders and approximately 1500 metres of roadside barrier will protect motorists from run off road crashes.

Mr Toole said the community of the nearby Meadow Flat Public School had been patient during the work to deliver this project, which started in May last year.

Meadow Flat Public School Principal Michael Wood said it was important to maintain safety in and around school grounds while work was being carried out.

“We are grateful for the extra work carried out as part of this project to help us ensure the safety of students, their families and the local community, with the sealing of the school’s pick up and drop off zones,” Mr Wood said.

“We also appreciate the assistance given to us by Transport for NSW to keep everyone safe during construction, and it’s great to see a new and improved Great Western Highway outside our doorstep.”

Transport for NSW thanks motorists and the local community for their patience while work was carried out.