Statistics:

• Length: 1146 km (Glenbrook to Katoomba: 43 km)
• Western Terminus: NSW-SA Border at Cockburn
• Eastern Terminus: Western Mwy (M4) and Governors Dr at Glenbrook
• Miscellaneous: Continues as A32 (Barrier Hwy) in South Australia
• Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along The Route: Woodford and Hazelbrook

Route Numbering:

• Current: A32

• Former:
• Road Authority Internal Classification: HW5 (Glenbrook to Bathurst) 1

General Information:

National Route 32 is the main route linking the New South Wales state capital, Sydney, with the west of the state. The road varies from arterial road conditions, rural expressway and rural highway.

• Great Western Highway:

The highway is signposted as A32 from Glenbrook in Sydney's west, to its terminus at Bathurst. Great Western Hwy is signposted as A44 in the sydney area.

The Great Western Highway is regarded as one of the oldest roads in Australia. Starting as George Street in the Sydney CBD, and following Parramatta Road, it heads west across metropolitan Sydney to Penrith, where it crosses the Nepean River. It then crosses the Blue Mountains and the Great Dividing Range to Bathurst.

This page concentrates on photos of contruction work between Woodford and Hazelbrook.

History:

• May 1813: Successful crossing of the Blue Mountains by Gregory Blaxland, William Charles Wentworth and Lieutennant William Lawson. 2
• 18 July 1814: Work commences from Emu Plains (Emu Ford) on what eventually becomes Great Western Road. The Chief Magistrate at Windsor, William Cox supervised the construction of what was the first road over the Blue Mountains. 2
• 14 January 1815: Completion of a 12 feet wide 101 mile track to Bathurst. 2
• June 1858: The Main Roads Management Act appoints Captain BH Martindale as the person responsible for the management of 3 main roads in the colony including the Great Western Road, from Sydney via Parramatta, Penrith, Hartley and Bathurst to Wellington. 2
• 7 June 1926: A board meeting resolved to set aside funding from the Commonwealth's road funding scheme for road development to be used on some of NSW 'great trunk routes', which included the Great Western Road. 2
• 1938: Installation of warning signs, roadmarkings and guide posts along a 60 mile stretch between Parramatta and Mt Victoria. These were implemented for testing, for a possible statewide rollout. 2
• 1939: After successful testing of warning signs, roadmarkings and guide posts, the system was implemented statewide. Also completion of pavement along the Great Western Road.2
• 1980s: Widening works at various locations between Blaxland and Katoomba.
• Upgrade and widening works begin on the Great Western Highway Upgrade between Station Street,Woodford and Winbourne Road, Hazelbrook. 3

Preview:	Description:
	Project Sign: Project sign as Great Western Hwy (A32) passes through Woodford, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands
	Hazelbrook Town Centre: Great Western Hwy (A32) heading westbound through Hazelbrook, near the railway station, with temporary footbridge in the distance, November 2011. Image © Paul Rands

1 Roads and Traffic Authority, Schedule of Classified Roads (and unclassified Regional Roads), 25 February 2008
2 Department of Main Roads. The Roadmakers, A History of Main Roads in New South Wales, ISBN 0 7240 0439 4
3 Roads & Traffic Authority, Projects, Great Western Highway, July 2011.

Last updated: 02-Jan-2019 19:17

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